The jockeys before the three-runner Qualified Riders' race© Photo Healy Racing
Alton Bay took full advantage of Grecian Tiger’s absence from the qualified riders’ race in Wexford as he comfortably beat his two rivals.
Katie Walsh had the six-year-old gelding held up in rear before switching him out to deliver his challenge with a quarter of a mile to go. He got to the head of affairs at the furlong pole and was ridden out to score by four and three quarter lengths. He was the 3/1 outsider of three. Macnicholson (9/4) was the horse headed at the one pole and he kept on for second, but couldn’t go with the winner. The even money favourite, Totally Dominant could give no more in the final furlong and was beaten eight and a quarter lengths by the winner.
Winning handler Peter Fahey said: “It's incredible, he has won four for us and he has collected prize money every single time he ran and we couldn't ask for anymore. I was worried coming here today with Dermot Weld's horse being rated 80 but when he came out I was happier. He will run once or twice more if the ground stays quick. If the ground goes anyway soft at all he will go out until the spring and come back to go novice hurdling.
“If he improves as much next year you wouldn't know what we have. He is a lot stronger this year. Last year he was very immature. He is still learning and Katie said he really switched off today and that helped him. Last year he was keen in bumpers and he is just maturing into a nice horse. We will see what the handicapper gives him and he might go for a handicap on the flat if he gets a nice mark."
Additional reporting by Donal Murphy
