Gary Carson
Dara does the business in hunters chase
Loch Dara (left) and Ibetellingyoualie locked together over last
© Photo Healy Racing
Loch Dara stayed on stoutly in the closing stages to take the concluding hunters chase at Wexford this afternoon.
Leonard Whitemore's charge was bouncing back to form after disappointing on his last start 'between the flags' at Taylorstown in May, having scored previously at Ballysteen.
Harley Dunne rode a waiting race on the 14/1 shot before taking closer order on the top bend.
9/4 favourite Ibetellingyoualie hit the front going to the last but was soon tackled by Loch Dara, who touched down over the final fence in the lead. He galloped on strongly to the line to record a length success.
“He won a six-year-old maiden point-to-point and I knew he'd improve from it,” revealed Dunne afterwards.
“He did a bit of schooling the other day and was good. He's tough and keeps on galloping.”
(Additional reporting by Donal Murphy)