May swoops late in dramatic finish

Aodhan May flew home on the run-in to land the spoils in a dramatic finish to the first division of the three-mile-one handicap chase at Wexford. Fox Le Bel looked to have things sewn up when going five lengths clear over the second last but he started to tie up on the run-in.

Philip Byrnes kept Aodhan May going in the closing stages and she got up close home to record a two-length win.

The Charles Byrnes-trained winner was sent to post 3/1 favourite.

She had just failed to get up at Down Royal on her penultimate start, over two-and-a-half, and refused at the first here earlier in the month after getting badly hampered at the start.

The winning rider said:- "She stayed well after the last and was good and tough. She jumped super the whole way and I'm delighted with her.

“The one in front stopped and just gave a chance to my one who stayed going and plugged away. Jumping the last I had a bit of ground to make up but she put her head down and kept going.

“She stayed well and that ground was grand for her. Hopefully she can pick up another one in this grade. This grade is probably as good as she is."

(Quotes by Donal Murphy)