Wicklow blows away opposition

Wicklow Gold stormed away in the closing stages to run out an easy winner of the 2m5f maiden hurdle at Tramore.

Ruby Walsh had tracked leader Maya Quest on the 5/4 favourite before hitting the front at the fourth last.

The Willie Mullins-trained gelding was in control before the second last as Walsh asked him to go about his business and he could afford to ease down on the run-in for a 27 length victory.

The winner had been easy enough to back, having been a shade of odds-on in places this morning and opening 11/10 on track.

He was taking a drop in grade today having been fourth behind a decent sort in The Job Is Right at Clonmel last month.

“That was nice improvement from the last day. I think the trip is the real key to him and the bit of nicer ground as well,” said Mullins.

“He's more of a chaser but he never lost an inch over his hurdles today. I thought he would come on a fair bit from his run in Clonmel.

“I was thinking about maybe going for a handicap at Limerick over Christmas and we'll see what kind of mark he gets.

“He'll spend the year hurdling.”

(Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes)