Moving Water wins Wexford's opener

J.P. McManus' Moving Water belied a market drift to win Wexford's opening Welcome To Wexford Racecourse Maiden Hurdle today, scoring for trainer Des McDonogh and the owner's retained jockey Mark Walsh.

The son of Mastercraftsman was a 3/1 chance this morning but drifted on course from 5/1 before returning 15/2, but in the race readily swept by Ingenious Stroke (10/11f) at the second last and beat that rival 15 lengths.

McDonogh later said “he did it nicely and going up in trip was a big help. He jumped superbly, never missed a beat and I was very happy with that.

“He is a real stayer in the making and is only a five-year-old but is a big, tall horse and jumped impeccably. He wouldn't have seen those type of (rubber) hurdles before but it didn't make any difference to him.”

He added “we will see what happens now, he might have a few months on grass, I don't know. He liked the better ground today and they've done a super job with it.”

Quotes from Donal Murphy