North-west winner of south-east handicap

Mark McNiff was on the mark in the sunny south-east today as the Sligo based trainer sent out Mr Moondance to win the Loch Garman Handicap Hurdle at Wexford and provide jockey Paddy Kennedy with his second winner in three days.

Kennedy, who was on board the Sean Byrne trained winner Ben Brody at Punchestown on Monday, rode a fine waiting race on Mr Moondance today, gradually making progress from his rear early position to eventually weave his way to the front after the final flight and score a two and a quarter lengths win over Soul Season

Co Sligo based McNifff wasn’t present for the eight hour round-trip but Kennedy, who is attached to the Jessica Harrington yard, later said “winners are like buses - I was waiting around for one and then two come at the one time so it's grand!

"He did it the hard way as he was keen the whole way. He got a run on me here the last day when he made up the ground way too soon and I left him roll on but I did the opposite today and held on to him.

"He doesn't like being in front too soon but went on and won well. He is super to jump for a horse that came off the flat he is very quick. He might jump a fence in time and good ground is key to him.”

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Donal Murphy