Value lands a gamble for Nagle

Best Value landed a gamble in first time cheekpieces as he took an incident packed sixth at Wexford, the Saltees Islands Handicap Chase, scoring under Mick Darcy for TJ Nagle.

Available at 16/1 in a place this morning the seven-year-old son of Helissio was backed throughout the day and opened on-course at just 7/1 before going off the 6/1 co-favourite of three.

Having his first start in handicap company the Michael O'Regan owned gelding led after the first fence and remained in that position throughout.

He was ridden clear after the second last and he kept on well from before the last, where he made a mistake, to score by four and three parts of a length at the line. Jansboy finished second under Paul Townend for Mick Winters at 7/1 while Fourth Class was a further four and three parts of a length back in third under Davy Russell for Henry De Bromhead at 8/1 (opened at 10's).

Just four of the eleven who set out for the three mile one furlong contest managed to complete the course with the other co-favourites Most Chaste and Pestel And Mortar (backed from 11's this morning) both pulling up with a circuit to go.

TJ Nagle said afterwards: “He is slow but tough. He will go to Galway now for a three mile handicap hurdle, I think it is at the weekend there. He has run alright the last few times in moderate races but he won today and we are delighted."

STEWARDS REPORTS

S.A. Shortall, rider of Pestal And Mortar trained by F.G. Hand, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount made a bad mistake, lost action and pulled up.

D.N. Russell, rider of Fourth Class, trained by Henry de Bromhead, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount finished lame.