McConnell's Ira Hayes lands Wexford finale

Six lined up for the Thank You To All Our Sponsors & Supporters In 2024 (C & G) (Pro/Am) Flat Race and only three counted from an early stage in a race where they came home at long intervals.

Three became two on the approach to the straight as Net Boy cried enough and Ira Hayes (9/1) began to forge clear from over a furlong out to beat 1/4 favourite Olympy De Cerisy by six lengths, providing amateur Jordan Kidd with his second success under Rules.

Winning trainer John McConnell, who owns the Mahler gelding himself, reported: "We were very, very disappointed after the first day. We went to Listowel thinking he'd win and we are still not sure what went wrong. It was very, very wet that day, it was over two and a half and he was quite keen for his first day at school. He didn't run that bad and if our expectations weren't so high we wouldn't have been disappointed. You kind of lose confidence then.

"His work this week was very good but then he drifted out to 9/1 today. He did what we thought he could do, he is a decent horse and a bumper is just a bonus along the way as he is a three mile hurdler, chaser in the making and he could be very good.

"We bought him in Doncaster. He won an English point-to-point for Jack Teal and I know Jack well. I'm always giving out to Jack that he doesn't push horses on me but he said this was a good horse and when he says that, you have to listen to him. He was right.

"He won his point-to-point well and the horse that finished second won a maiden hurdle since, so the form is working out well."

Quotes from Donal Murphy