Irish National hero rides winner at Wexford

Monday's Irish Grand National hero Ricky Doyle was back amongst the winners at Wexford today as he steered Champagne Beauty to an avoid-the-loose-horse, short-head win in the Traynor's Of Wexford Novice Handicap Chase, scoring for breeder/owner/trainer Pat Fitzgerald.

Doyle made all for a famous win on 150/1 shot Freewheelin Dylan in Monday's Fairyhouse race, scarcely seeing a rival, but in today's 10 runner race was badly distracted by loose Diamond Turf approaching the final fence.

Doyle, based with trainer Conor O'Dwyer, managed to keep the seven year old mare rolling and while the pair were all-out close home, held on for a short-head win over The Echo Boy

Youghal based Fitzgerald registered a first winner with Champagne Beauty at Roscommon in September, and today said “she got caught at the start in Thurles the last day but finished unreal.

“She’s a lovely mare to train. She stays and is unreal to jump.

“Hopefully we’ll go to Punchestown now for a mares handicap. She takes her races well and has a great attitude

“I still have the mother and three more of the family. If they are half as good as her it will do me.”

Quotes from Alan Magee