BENTELIMAR, returning from a break of almost five months, ran out a clear-cut winner of the Carrickbyrne Novice Chase at Wexford.

The 11/4 shot was anchored towards the rear for the first half of the race before Brian O'Connell moved him up into the thick of the action four out. He took over at the head of affairs from Dicosimo after jumping the next and safely negotiated the final couple of obstacles to cross the line with 15 lengths in hand.

Coquin Mans (4/6) extended his unbeaten record to three by outclassing his rivals in the Vinegar Hill Hurdle. Off since making a successful start for Willie Mullins over two miles at Limerick in December, the French import was stepping up fully a mile in distance and Ruby Walsh was content to bide his time.

He made seemingly effortless headway to take second by the time they swung into the home straight and after jumping the last with a slight advantage over Amaulino, stretched two and three-quarter lengths away.

Walsh said: "The fact he won at Limerick at Christmas time we knew the soft ground was going to suit him today and he got the trip well enough, and it's nice that he won. I don't know where he will go now. I don't know whether he'd go on better ground but we were glad to see the rain today."

SURPRISE

Regal D'Argent sprung a 20/1 surprise in the Boolavogue Mares Maiden Hurdle.

Even-money favourite Delayed Eloquence bowled along at the head of affairs but found less than expected when tackled by Colin Bowe's winning pointer Regal D'Argent, whose superior stamina saw her home by three-quarters of a length.

Bowe's assistant Brendan Walsh said: "She's tough but wasn't madly in love with the ground and, in fairness to her, she ground it out the day she won her point-to-point. She stays reasonably well and will improve away with age.

"We'll just see what Noel (O'Brien, handicapper) thinks now before we decide where to go next - hopefully he won't overreact."

The application of blinkers did the trick for Sir Jack Yeats (15/8 favourite) in the Oulart Handicap Hurdle (Div 1), and he strode six lengths clear of Lash It On.

Soul Season (5/1) now has two wins and a second from his last three appearances - all at this venue - after his two-length triumph in division two.

IMPROVED

A busy period is showing no signs of wearing Denham Sound out, and she broke her duck in the Welcome To Wexford Racecourse Maiden Hurdle.

Charles Byrnes' 13/8 favourite got steadily better in three starts last month and improved again to fill the runner-up berth at Kilbeggan only on Sunday, and she went one better with a determined two-and-a-quarter-length defeat of Herminio in the hands of Mark Walsh.

Byrnes said: "She was getting the allowances today but it won't be easy to place her to win another one. She has got there today anyway, and that's the main thing.

"She is leery and hopefully we will get a little mares' race for her during the summer - we won't be aiming to high with her anyway."

Prosperity Square was one of three to go clear from a long way out in the Rosslare Handicap Chase and then went on on his own before leaving the back straight. The 8/1 chance was in no danger from that point and coasted past the post 16 lengths ahead of Teds Island.

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