Derek O’Connor showed just why he has won ten point-to-point riders’ championships by bringing the well-supported Ronnie O’Leary-trained newcomer Baden from well off the pace to oblige in a vintage second division of the four-year-old maiden at yesterday’s United Hunt Club point-to-point fixture at Bartlemy.

The first session of the two-day Kanturk-Duhallow point-to-point fixture at Dromahane took place on Saturday and Sam Curling’s Grand Gold indicated that he’s set for a particularly productive campaign by easily winning the four-mile ladies open in the hands of the Liz Lalor.

The coveted Gain Mares’ Final occupied centre stage at yesterday’s well-attended Ballynoe point-to-point fixture, staged under the auspices of the United Hunt at Garryane, Killavorilla and Kilclare.