Michael 'Trixie' Barry, who has trained many point-to-point winners, registered his first success under Rules with Colls Corner successful himself 'between the flags' and very unfortunate on another occasion, in the Holy Cross Novice Handicap Hurdle.
From Fermoy, Barry sent Colls Corner out to score on his fifth attempt in 'points,' at Ballybunion. Three undistinguished efforts on the racecourse proper, saw Johnny Allen's mount dismissed as a 16/1 shot by morning price odds compilers. However connections knew better and his price tumbled before drifting from sevens out to nines on course.
Barry said after his charge saw off the market-leader, Don't Rush It by three parts of a length and then survived a steward's enquiry: "We got a few quid at 16s this morning. He won a point-to-point and he was going to win another before falling at the last. The step-up in trip helped and he'll go to Limerick now, this day week." (EM)
