Shortall shines on Robin in Wexford opener

Shane Shortall gave Christopher Robin a strong drive to get the joint-favourite home in the opening maiden hurdle at Wexford this afternoon.

The Joseph O'Brien-trained gelding went to post a 5/2 shot for the two-miler and chased the leaders throughout.

Shortall sent his mount up to tackle front-runner Cobaltic two from home but he had to work to get the better of that rival going to the last.

Fellow market leader Fiveallin also tried to challenge at the final flight bu Christopher Robin found more on the run-in to secure a three-parts-of-a-length win over Cobaltic. Advanced Virgo stayed on for third, a neck back, and he was just three-parts in front of Fiveallin in a tight finish.

Christopher Robin had been well beaten at Navan on his previous run, when he lost a shoe, but had run well before that when third at Gowran.

Shortall said:- "On his Gowran run he was entitled to win this. He had an excuse the last day. Joseph found a good opportunity for him today and everything went right for him. He jumped and travelled well."

(Quotes by Donal Murphy)