Brideswell Lad and JJ Slevin pictured on their way to victory© Photo Healy Racing
Brideswell Lad followed-up on his Limerick success from July, as he claimed the Wexford Racecourse Racing Club Handicap Chase.
Trained locally by Seamus Neville, the six-year-old gelding was well-fancied to go in again this afternoon and was sent to post the 11/4 favourite.
Never far off the pace under JJ Slevin, the son of Shirocco improved to lead on the approach to the straight but was ridden and joined by Early Arrival on the run to the final fence.
The bay victor got away from that obstacle much the quicker and stayed on strongly, with Early Arrival pecking on landing and losing valuable momentum. Five-and-a-half lengths separated the pair at the line.
The runner-up was returned at 22/1 under Darragh O’Keeffe, while Gelee Blanche (13/2) was a further four lengths back in third.
“He won pretty handy in Limerick. We were a little bit concerned about the ground today but he handled it okay. He would prefer quicker ground," Neville revealed.
"Anything from two and a half up suits him, three miles wouldn’t bother him.
"I doubt if he'll reach the heights of his half-brother Cloth Cap but with a bit of luck he might.
"I'll look at Listowel for him now but it will depend on the ground. There is a few options for him there.
"He has a lower mark over hurdles but he will stay over fences for the moment. We might look back at that mark over hurdles sometime."
