Flemenstar (IRE) enhanced his already lofty reputation when winning the Irish Stallion Farms Novice Chase over two miles. The race looked a match beforehand between Flemenstar and Lambro and it turned out that way with the Peter Casey trained winner forging clear of his main rival from the last fence to give jockey Andrew Lynch his fourth winner in two days. Casey trains a mixed team near Stamullen in County Meath and is eager to up the winner in class saying; “He will go to Leopardstown for the Arkle now. It’s grand to have a good one like him.” Flemenstar, by Coolmore stallion Flemensfirth, is owned by Stephen Curran who bought him as a yearling in Tattersalls Ireland for €40,000. He had originally cost Michael Tallon €11,000 as a foal at the same venue so it was quite a successful pinhook. He was bred by Donal Barnwell and is a full brother to useful hurdler Barafundle. Like Monksland, Flemenstar began his career in a point to point, winning his second outing at Loughanmore by twenty lengths.

The weekend victories of Monksland and Flemenstar further highlighted the outstanding record of Irish point to pointers who progress to success at a high level on the racecourse. Irish point to points have become so competitive in recent years. The standard of horses competing is now at such a level that an Irish point to point winner does not have to progress much further to be a track winner.  The proof is in the statistics which have been compiled by Richard Pugh in www.p2p.ie. November 2011 became a record breaking month for Irish Point to Pointers when 123 former pointers won on the track. December 2011 bettered all previous months with the exception of November when 111 former pointers passed the post in front. These included Grade 1 winners Boston Bob, Last Instalment and Al Ferof. Other Graded winners included Deireadh Re, Corbally Ghost, Finians Rainbow and My Murphy. Incidentally both Finian’s Rainbow and Al Ferof are to the fore of the betting for the Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot later this month. The full article is available at http://www.p2p.ie/news.php?news_id=10346.