Wexford staged the biggest race in it's history this afternoon with the Listed three mile handicap chase carrying a winners prize of E26,000. Fable went off favourite on the back of a win during the week but his supporters knew their fate a fair way from home. He eventually trailed in last.
It was left to Frances Crowley's Rockwell Island to battle on well from the last under rider in-form, Shay Barry to gain a three length win over Curfew Tolls. The Curragh trainer will now see how the seven-year-old is during the week before deciding whether to run again in a three mile novice event at Naas next weekend.
Dual bumper winner, Tuppenny Cody looked the obvious solution to the opening maiden hurdle. However, despite finding 5/2 from 7/4, the son of Muroto defied the apparent lack of confidence with a smoothly achieved three and a half length win. Winning handler Tony Mullins remarked 'he is a fair horse but he'll need to learn to settle'.
Mullins and O'Dwyer later combined to secure a double. Alphazar took the beginners chase on his debut over fences, and the second favourite scuppered one Jackpot investor whose sole remaining unit rested with 6/4 'jolly', Kings Orchard, beaten one and a half lengths into second. The pool of E3,254.00 is carried to March 13th.
Sigma Techs was a surprisingly very short-priced favourite for the three mile novice hurdle. Noel Meade's charge went off a 4/6 chance but once What A Hussy (4/1 to 100/30) and Fran Flood headed him on the approach to the last, Paul Carberry's mount couldn't raise his effort and ultimately went down by six lengths. Father of the winning rider and successful trainer, Francis said 'she would prefer more 'cut' in the ground and we'll look for a similar mares event now'.
Meanwhile at Galway, Barry Geraghty and Edward O'Grady stole the show with a treble. The wins came courtesy of Golden Row, Monjoyau and Windsor Boy.
In bad news from the venue, apprentice rider Sean Cleary was taken to hospital with serious head injuries after a fall in the opening auction race.
