Mayo wins the opener at Wexford

The opening race of the first Friday evening meeting of 2011 at Wexford, the Ingard Point Maiden Hurdle, went the way of Mayo Mystique for trainer Philip Rothwell and jockey Declan Bates.

The winner who was the 100/30fav looked well in control turning for home but was given a breather by her jockey approaching the last and that gave the runner-up Coral Creek a chance to challenge.

However the winner popped the last and was pushed out by his Co Wexford pilot to score by a length at the finish with the aforementioned 33/1 shot Coral Creek back in second.

The winning trainer stated afterwards, "That little mare deserved that . She has been running well but in good maiden hurdles and she will have a little break now. I want to bring her back to run in summer novices though, as she is not well handicapped.

"My good friend who was one of my first owners, Thomas Moran from Ballinrobe in Co Mayo, owns her and he couldn’t be here today as he is working."