Review WEXFORD 29TH OCT

Norman Williamson will ride Florida Pearl in the Jim Nicholson Champion Chase at Down Royal on November 11th next.

Speaking at a wet and miserable Wexford which was abandoned after the third race due to 'dangerous conditions' yesterday , trainer Willie Mullins, revealed Williamson will step in for the ride on a one off basis as Ruby Walsh (injured wrist), and Paul Carberry, who fractured his leg at Fairyhouse on Friday afternoon, are both sidelined.

With torrential rain before racing, the conditions at the southern track became desperate but it didn't stop the Florida Pearl colours finding the winners enclosure after the opening three mile maiden hurdle when Be My Royal justified favouritism on his hurdling debut under Barry Geraghty.

Violet O'Leary's six-year-old, a gallant third in the Cheltenham bumper behind stable-companion Joe Cullen last March, wasn't too fluent over the smaller obstacles but his class brought him through in the dour conditions.

'He did what he had to do and hopefully his jumping will improve on better ground. We'll campaign him over two-and-a-half miles plus,' Mullins said.

With the rain bucketing down for over two hours, the meeting was finally called off when a deputation of jockeys including Charlie Swan, Norman Williamson, Jason Titley and Barry Geraghty prompted the Stewards to examine the ground. Several minutes later the decision was made to abandon the meeting.

For the bookmakers, the three races proved costly as Kabok followed up under Norman Williamson, much to the joy of favourite backers in the next, before third reserve Mr Red Banner, supported from 7/1 to 4/1, got up in the dying strides under Joe Casey.

BF