Jones gets good tune from Opera

Opera Music opened his hurdling account with a game performance in the second division of the two-mile handicap hurdle at Wexford.

Sean Cahill's charge had just failed to get up on his last start at Tramore but made no mistake today.

Rob Jones sent his mount to the front turning for home and he kept on well from the last. Grand Cru flashed home but could only get within a length of the 7/1 winner.

5/1 favourite Celtic Cailin had every chance at the last but could find no more on the run-in.

It was a first success over jumps for Opera Music, who had also landed a six-furlong handicap at the Curragh back in April 2009 for the yard.

"He has to go on a tight track as he only just gets two-miles," revealed Cahill.

"We'll go back to Tramore now hopefully and might aim a bit higher at the Richard Power Handicap Hurdle."

The restricted licence holder trains in Thomastown, Co Kilkenny and added:-

"We've always done some breaking and pre-training."

Mikey Butler, rider of Grand Cru, picked up a two-day whip ban for failing to give his mount sufficient time to respond.

(On course reporting by Alan Magee)