THE 2010 Autumn point-to-point fixture list has been announced with 28 meetings scheduled. Kicking off in Mid Antrim on September 25, the season close will be at the United Hunt fixture at Dungourney on Sunday, December 12.

The south-east fixture list has the Shillelagh and District Foxhounds scheduled fixture at Fairwood Park on October 10, with the Killinick Harriers closing the month on the 31st at their track in Lingstown. No doubt this fixture will have a Banks race over the now well-trodden course installed by the local hunt committee over the past few years.

The south-east season continues on at Kilmacow with the Kilkenny Foxhounds on November 7, with the Island hunt staging their autumn meeting at Ballydarragh on November 14. The south-east fixture list also sees the Wexford Foxhounds holding their meeting at the Lingstown track on October 31, with the Tipperary Foxhounds concluding the south-east fixture list at Lisronagh near Clonmel on the same day.

With a total 28 meetings nationally, the autumn point-to-point season which kicks off the 2010/'11 programme is as strong as ever. From what you would hear from local yards, many are already well in gear for a strong assault on these meetings.

Look out for Colin Bowe, Denis Murphy, Seán Doyle and Shay Slevin in the training ranks, while Michael Fogarty, Barry O'Neill, Andrew Doyle and Mark Scallan will most likely cut a dash on the jockey front.

FOGARTY'S GLORY

Ballywilliam man John Brennan has always had a significant number of horses in training, and it is always good to see success coming to his purple and gold colours. The Galway festival has a daily highlight and the first day sees our amateur jockeys taking prime position with the running of the former GPT/John Players twomile flat handicap.

John Brennan's 'Admiral Barry' put his name on the winning role book in this race that includes 'Spanner', 'Double Wrapped' and 'Pigeons Nest'. Trained by Eoin Griffin in Slieverue, Co. Kilkenny, the five-year-old son of 'Kalanisi' was handled with flair by Mikey Fogarty.

Fogarty was achieving his biggest success to date and has been setting the racing world alight with his accomplished riding. The 20-year-old was winning his 19th race and was reported afterwards as saying that the horse 'gave me a great spin'. Patience has been the key to the 'Admiral's' success as he was placed as a two-yearold behind 'Frozen Fire' three years ago but only broke his duck at Tramore in June of this year.

Obviously a horse with talent, love seems to have made the difference in this horse's life as he is now trained out of a field that he shares with his constant companion, an old broodmare. So love does conquer everything!

Recent Wexford winner 'Persian Gayle' was sent on the journey to Galway from Kilmore by James Cousins, and the six-yearold 'Lord Americo' gelding followed up on his Wexford victory with a 7/1 success in the conditions novice hurdle on Galway hurdle day. Ridden by 'Slippers' Madden, this horse was always chasing the leaders and gave Cousins and the Wexford/Laois syndicate a great success.

With Dermot Weld beating his own record of ten festival winners, a fantastic ride by A.P. McCoy on 'Finger On The Pulse' in the Plate and a British-trained winner of the Hurdle in 'Overturn', the festival lived up to its billing.

EVENING AT BETTYVILLE

An all-national hunt card is on offer at Bettyville this Friday, August 6. With a start time of 5.25 p.m., racing opens with a maiden hurdle over two miles followed by two handicap hurdles, with the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Hurdle being run over two miles, four furlongs.

The remaining four races are split between a beginners' chase, a conditions chase and a handicap chase over distances ranging two miles, one furlong to three miles, one furlong, with racing concluding with a mares' bumper at 8.35 p.m.

Hopefully the chase track will not be the subject of dispute and discussion this week.

Clashing with the Horse Show at the RDS, it's to be hoped that a good crowd will be in attendance, while at the time of going to press the ground will be on the fast side of good.

DIARY DATES

Racing: August 4, Sligo (e); August 5, Leopardstown (e), Sligo (e); August 6, Tipperary (e), Wexford (e); August 7, Kilbeggan (e); August 8, Curragh, Downpatrick; August 9, Ballinrobe (e); August 11, Gowran Park (e).

- with DICK WHITE