Jo makes a winning debut in the bumper

Josephine Marcus just held on in an exciting finish to make a winning debut in the bumper at Wexford for Noel Meade and Nina Carberry.

A third winner on the evening for her sire Flemensfirth, the 6/1 chance struck the front inside the final quarter mile but had to withstand a number of challenges. Bell Of The Ball (20/1) came home best of all having been outpaced at a vital stage, and was just a neck away at the line.

The 9/4 favourite Molly Connors was a further three quarters of a length back in third.

Meade said, “Josephine Marcus was Wyatt Earp’s girlfriend so that’s who she’s named after. She is a very good jumper but she wants soft ground, and Nina has loved her all along.

“She was just a bit green in front today, and she’s never been away from home. We won’t run her on fast ground.”

Additional reporting by Donal Murphy