Behemoth worthy compensation for Sexton

It has been an eventful night for Kevin Sexton, but he registered an all-the-way success on board Behemoth in the two mile seven beginners’ chase in Tramore.

He passed the post first on board War Of The Pennys in race two, however the pair were demoted to second due to interference.

There was no chance of interference in this race as Sexton set out to make all. He took a couple of lengths out of the pursuers at the second last and kept up the gallop in winning by four and a quarter lengths at 7/2. Vaxalco the well-backed 9/10 favourite tried to close into second on the inside rail coming to the dip before the climb to two out. However, he got chopped off and had to switch left. This stalled his momentum and although he tried to hunt down the leader he was never getting there as he came home second under Davy Russell.

Trainer Paul Nolan said: “He jumps a fence very well and that was the race for him. Kevin gave him a lovely positive ride. He galloped well to the line. He’s in the sales and I’m just glad that he has won. We’ll see how he goes in a handicap.

"He is definitely on the basis of that a better chaser. He jumped very well for just his second run over fences. He is rated 99 over hurdles and he just jumps a fence that bit better.”

Kevin Sexton said: “I’m down to three pounds now after that. It was nice to do it after the mishap earlier on rather than going home and thinking about it!

“I’m heading to Australia tomorrow week for the jockeys challenge and I can’t wait. We are going for ten days for two race meetings over there and I think I have three rides. It will be an experience and hopefully things will keep going when I come home. Brian Cawley is also on the team for Australia along with Niki O’Shea and Donal MacAuley who are based there.”

Additional reporting by Donal Murphy