Another for O'Keeffe as Conti strikes on handicap debut

Fresh from a double at Navan yesterday, Darragh O'Keeffe registered his third winner of the weekend, scoring aboard Heliko Conti in the M2 Construction Wexford Novice Handicap Hurdle.

The winner of a Fairyhouse bumper in January of last year, the Liam Burke trained six-year-old ran just once since, finishing eighth of 16 behind Facile Vega.

Making his debut in handicap company this afternoon, the French bred son of Lauro was sent off a 15/2 chance in the colours of the Patrick Mulvany and Haras Dormul Partnership.

Having raced mainly in sixth, he took closer order from three out and jumped to the front at the next. Ridden on the run-in, he kept on well to hold off the fast-finishing Nemean (7/1) by a neck.

There was a head back to the well-supported Gringo D'ainay (7/2 from 7s early) in third, with just over 10 lengths covering the first 12 home.

Sent off the 3/1 favourite, Splashing Out finished fifth.

"He won a bumper at Fairyhouse but cracked a pelvis after that and everything went wrong with him. I missed nearly all of last year with him," Burke said.

"I ran him in Fairyhouse behind Facile Vega. I thought he'd run well there, I thought he'd be second but he disappointed on the day and just wasn't himself. He hung that day too and I just left him off for a while after that. He came back much better.

"He got a mark of 106 and I thought it was a workable mark. Wexford wouldn't be the ideal track for him, he is a big horse but the owner (Peter Mulvany) is from Kilmore Quay and he told me six weeks ago that he'd like to run him here. It's a dream for him to have a runner here never mind for him to win. It isn't often that it works out.

"He is only a novice now until May and he will make a chaser in time. He wants two and a half plus on a bigger track.

"He nearly got done there. He ended up getting there too soon but they came around him and he had to go when he did.

"If I can just keep him healthy now, it’s been so hard to keep him right. He has patient owners."

STEWARDS REPORTS

E. Walsh, rider of Must Meet Cecil trained by Cian Michael Collins, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount ran freely in the early stages of the race.

The Raceday Stewards interviewed P.J. Carberry, rider of Nemean (USA), concerning his use of the whip in closing stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. In his evidence, P.J. Carberry accepted that he was in breach of the whip guidelines. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Raceday Stewards were satisfied that P.J. Carberry was in breach of R10 3 (i) time to respond. Having considered his record in this regard The Raceday Stewards suspended P.J.Carberry for two racedays.

The Raceday Stewards received a report from the Clerk of the Scales, Mr.P.L. Malone, that A.M. King, rider of Dixon Line (GB), had weighed in 1.1 pounds heavy which is above the permitted amount allowed. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned who stated that after wasting hard all day he had a drink after weighing out and this might explain the discrepincy. Having considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards were satisfied that A.M. King was in breach of Rule 231(i) and having considered his record they cautioned him on this occasion.