The Mark Fahey trained Bigira really benefitted from the step up to three-miles for the first time when staying on strongly under Jack Kennedy to land Division l of the Fleadh Cheoil Wexford Handicap Hurdle.

Having never raced beyond two-and-a-quarter miles prior to this, the daughter of Birchwood seemed to appreciate the extra distance, getting stronger as the race went on.

Sitting fourth early on the second circuit, Jack Kennedy moved second in pursuit of race leader Glendine Billy after the fourth last.

With the latter coming under pressure early in the straight, Kennedy led before two out, keeping on strongly to record a one-and-a-half-length success.

The winning jockey was registering a double on the card.

Mark Fahey: “I wasn’t confident beforehand but I did think she’d win a race. To be fair Dillon Butler, the chap who has been riding her the last few times, was always telling me to go to two-and-a-half to three miles with her.

"We saw this race and when Jack became available we had to go with him. I’m absolutely delighted and she was always threatening to win a race and we learned today that three miles is obviously her trip.”

Additional reporting by Donal Murphy