ANDREW DOYLE, a son of Mary and the late Gordon Doyle from Knockmullen House in New Ross, has really seen his star rise, following two winning rides on the racecourse over the past few weeks.

Doyle's second winner was on the classy 'Ballistraw' at Gowran Park on Saturday last, when winning the Tetratema Hunters Chase at 11/2. Doyle gave the eleven-year-old son of 'Carroll House' a confident ride to lead from four fences out and hold on to win by a length.

Owned, bred and trained in Foulksmills by Denis Hickey, an uncle of Doyle, the future plans for the horse look like taking in the racing festivals Fairyhouse and Punchestown. The 20year-old Doyle will be hopeful that he stays fit enough to grasp this opportunity with both hands.

Andrew recorded his first track winner at Clonmel on February 4 when riding ' Shamrock Hall' to win at 16/1, again for owner-trainer, Denis Hickey. This ten-year-old, a son of 'Carroll House', fairly galloped away under Doyle and proved the patience of Hickey as the homebred was recording his first track win.

Doyle's career seems to be going from strength to strength, with these two winners being welcome additions to the 16 point-to-point victories he already has to his credit. It would seem that the international experience gained by Doyle over last year in the Fegentri series has really stood to him since and hopes are high that this chosen career will see him gain further success.

BETWEEN THE FLAGS

It was an exceptionally busy time over the past weeks with trebles recorded by Jamie Codd and Colin Motherway, a double for Andrew Doyle, and individual win for Shane Byrne.

Codd made the trip to the re-scheduled Kilkenny Foxhounds meeting at Bennettsbridge pay well when riding a fine treble on Saturday week. Taking the very first contest, the four-year-old maiden over two and a half miles, on ' Ferris Bueller', Codd got the son of 'Lear Spear' to quicken nicely and win impressively for Co. Waterford-based trainer, Vinnie Keane.

Codd followed up in the very next contest when dead-heating for the first division of five-year-old geldings maiden with 'Animosus'. This son of 'Lomitas', handled by Richard Brabazon, shared the spoils with the Michael Murphy-trained 'Fair Lord', ridden by Roger Quinlan.

Codd was given the leg up on his third winner by his brother, William, when winning on his father's 'Wrong Identity'. This six-year-old 'Beneficial' mare could be seen on the track if she continues to go in the right direction according to connections.

From one treble to another, Colin Motherway, currently sidelined following a fall at Gowran Park on Saturday last, rode a nice treble at the Brosna Foxhounds meeting at Durrow, Co. Offaly, on Saturday week. Taking the five-year-old geldings maiden on the Cormac Farrell-trained 'The Crafty Cuckoo' for his father, Denis, they disputed the lead the whole way to win.

Motherway's double came in the five-and six-year-old mares maiden for Co. Westmeath-based trainer, Cecil Ross, on their home-bred 'Media View', a six-year-old by 'Presenting'.

Motherway's treble was recorded in the older geldings maiden when winning on 'Russinrudi' for Eoin Doyle. This seven-year-old by 'Rudimentary' won well here for Motherway and Co. Kilkenny-based Doyle.

This meeting also saw Shane Byrne win on the Donal O'Brien-handled 'Down Jones Road'. This six-year-old son of 'Windsor Castle', owned by the Moody Men Syndicate, got up to lead close to home.

The two-day meeting at Durrow saw Andrew Doyle record a nice double on 'Theatre Lane' in the Open Lightweight for Denis Hickey and also winning the first division of the older mares maiden on 'Corbetstown Vic', a nine-yearold by 'Old Vic'. Owned and bred by Alfie Walsh, this mare is trained in Courtnacuddy by Daryl Deacon.

Tony Black also got off the mark for the year when 'Turning Trix', a sevenyear-old mare by 'Snurge', opened her account in the colours of Lorcan Higgins at the same meeting on Sunday week.

ST. PATRICK'S DAY RACING

With the Killinick Foxhounds holding their point-to-point on Sunday next at Lingstown, racegoers have plenty of options, with racing returning to Bettyville this day week, Wednesday, March 17.

This traditional St. Patrick's Day fixture will see the new season open with a national hunt fixture at the local track. With Cheltenham in full swing at the same time, this could be a real bonus day to go racing. Don't miss it!

- With Dick White