THE HORSE industry in County Wexford and further afield is always keen to see new facilities being developed to help and assist in the training of our equine competitors.

Martina Doran, who holds a public training licence in her own right, has developed a range of gallops and spas which are second to none at the Railway Yard Gallops at Ballyfroary, Duncormick. With work now complete on the three seven-furlong gallops, Doran can offer use of a new all-weather seven-furlong gallop in addition to the same distance gallop on grass or sand.

With the new facilities installed only a stone's throw from Duncormick village, it's a resource that many trainers would give their eye teeth for. The beauty is of course that these new gallops are open to the public, with anyone interested in preparing their horses on a quality surface advised to view what is on offer here.

In addition, Doran and her team offer an Equa Spa, which is much in demand from many well-known handlers in the racing game. This is a big commitment from Martina Doran as her own yard is currently riding out 15 flat and national hunt horses this season, which would keep anyone busy in their own right, but it seems to be a challenge that the young woman thrives on.

For those that are computer literate, log onto www.railwayyard.ie or contact her directly on 087-2247413 to organise a visit to these new facilities.

REVIEW OF THE WEEK

Colin Bowe and Barry O'Neill continued to set a really strong pace in the race for the handlers' ( trainers') national title when adding another fine double at the inaugural Westmeath and Longford point-to-point at Killashee on Saturday week. This course seems to be on the less demanding side and horses and jockeys certainly enjoyed a track that didn't sap strength and stamina.

Bowe saddled 'Jan Jandura' to take the five-year-old geldings' maiden by one and a half lengths. This son of 'Flemensfirth' came through late under Barry O'Neill to win, and connections want to try him inside the rails next.

Bowe and O'Neill did the double with 'Monart Lantern' in the five-year-old and older mares' maiden. This daughter of 'Beneficial' may have been a little fortunate to win this easily as her nearest rival, 'Dads Memory', fell at the last, but she did stay on strongly to win.

At the same meeting, Pat Cloke saw his own horse, 'Walkin Aisy', take the Open Lightweight under P.J. O'Neill. This ten-year-old 'Rudimentary' gelding enjoyed the course and kept on best to win, while Jamie Codd booted home another seasonal winner when winning the six-year-old maiden on 'Oscarsfriend' for Philip Dempsey.

JONCOL FOR PUNCHESTOWN

Paul Nolan has confirmed that 'Joncol', his last-gasp winner of the Grade 1 Hennessy Chase, will head to the Punchestown Festival from April 20 to 24.

This seems like a wise move as the horse could well be a real challenger for major honours into the future and Cheltenham in 2010 just might be his best option.

After the heady success of the Hennessy Gold Cup with 'Joncol' the previous week, Paul Nolan and his yard in Davidstown notched another success, even if on a more modest level, when 'Shuil Arís' won her maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse on Tuesday last. This nine-year-old 'Anshan' mare finally justified favouritism when winning under Ruby Walsh in the colours of Martin O'Sullivan, but from reports Walsh had to work very hard to keep the mare involved in the business end of the race. Nolan indicated that the mare will take a step up in distance from the two miles on offer here and be switched over fences.

The second day of the Fairyhouse meeting saw Martina Doran strike with a victory for her flat bred, 'Ned of the Hill'. This four-year-old son of 'Hawk Wing' came through well under Robbie Moran to lead before the last hurdle in the two-mile contest to win well at 11/2.

With a tongue strap and cheekpieces added as aids to help the horse perform to his best, they seemed to do the trick here, with a trip to Cheltenham being looked at for the Unfinished Business Syndicate of owners.

BETWEEN THE FLAGS