Hawk Springs to victory at Wexford

Spring Hawk gained a deserved win in the opening two and a quarter mile mares maiden hurdle at Wexford for trainer Tom McCourt and rider Tim Carroll.

The easy-to-back 4/1 favourite, placed in three of her four previous hurdle starts, was always travelling sweetly and kept on best on the run-in for Carroll to beat Cheyenne Girl (25/1) by two and a half lengths. Rare Benefit (10/1) was a further three and a half lengths adrift in third, with the well-backed Lady Samphire (7/1-9/2) in fourth.

McCourt said, “It’s nice to get the win, although I was afraid of the ground as she’s small and light.

“Her form was solid, and she jumped better today. The second last was the only one she was a bit clumsy. We’ll see how she comes out of this but she may go to Sligo for a novice hurdle on Sunday.”

Robert Jones was stood down after receiving a kick in the back when unseated at the first from Massinis Brief