Le Martalin just holds on in the feature at Wexford

Le Martalin just held on to take the feature at Wexford this evening, the Brendan Cullimore Electrical Novice Chase.

Having got off the mark over fences at Killarney in May, the Noel Meade trained French bred since chased home the smart Cadmium at Roscommon.

With market rival Ornua a non-runner due to a stone bruise, Le Martalin went off a 1/2 favourite under Sean Flanagan for Gigginstown House Stud.

Sent straight to the front, the chestnut seven-year-old made all. He was pushed along and pressed by Ask Susan from two out, and while things got desperate on the run-in, he just done enough to prevail by a nose.

The runner-up was returned at 15/8, with Mark Enright aboard this one for John Nicholson. The front two went thirty-four lengths clear of Icelip in third.

Flanagan said afterwards: "He is a very strong travelling horse in general. The day he won in Killarney I got a lead and in hindsight it is probably the best thing to do with him.

"He is just a bit leery in front and didn't jump as fluently as he is well able to do. He has gone and done it the hard way and has very nearly got beat.

"He has won in the end and we'll know for the next day, I won't try make it on him, I'll hold on to him a little bit."