Naturally Blond outgunned Joly Maker to land the two mile handicap hurdle in Wexford for handler Patrick Cronin.

The winner didn't go unbacked in the ring as he contracted from 12/1 to 9/1.

The pair had the race to themselves around the home turn but on the run-in Naturally Blond found more than the 9/2 runner-up to hit the line a length and three quarters to the good, with William Cronin in the plate. Like A Diamond picked up third-placed money a further five and a half lengths away.

Patrick Cronin said: "I thought on that ground he'd take all the beating, he loves the fast ground. My nephew William gave him a great ride, he is great value for his 7lb claim. He has ridden two point-to-point winners for me this year already.

"If he is alright he will run again at Roscommon on Tuesday. He deserved that because he has been placed a lot of times. He mightn't have many wins but he nearly always runs well.

"He ran disappointingly the last day and I don't know why, he has done that before and he can run the odd disappointing race.

"We beat another Doneraile man into second. Darragh O'Keeffe was on the second horse. It was a bit disappointing stopping him from getting his first winner."

Additional reporting by Donal Murphy