IN adherence with Government guidelines, a limited number of racegoers returned to Wexford for the first time since October of 2019.

There was a real sense of normality at the Bettyville circuit, with outdoor dining facilities, a big screen and three bookmakers in attendance.

On the track, it was Hugh Morgan and Henry de Bromhead who took top honours, with both completing a double. They combined for their initial success with Urabamba (8/13 favourite) in the opening Welcome To Wexford Maiden Hurdle.

Prominent in the early stages, the Philip Reynolds-owned bay led from the fifth and went clear before two out, coming home six and a half lengths clear.

“It was a nice performance and he definitely deserved it. He had a few good runs and it’s nice that he eventually got his head in front,” Morgan enthused.

The Kilkenny pilot quickly doubled his tally aboard Good World for fellow county man Eoin Griffin in the Holiday In Wexford Handicap Hurdle. Recording his second success of the summer at Wexford, the easy-to-back 6/1 chance (3s early) was settled behind the leaders, improving to dispute the lead from three out.

Tussle

He had a good tussle with Glen Robin in the straight, but got on top in the closing stages, going on to prevail by half a length.

“We were very apprehensive about the ground. I just didn’t know how he’d go on it, but Hugh said he travelled away on it fine,” Griffin explained.

“It’s great that his owners (the Good World Partnership) are here today. Co-owner Alfred (Ma) owns the Good World restaurant in Dublin.”

Eagle Moon completed the brace for de Bromhead in the Racing Again September 4th Handicap Chase, with Dylan Robinson aboard this 4/1 chance.

Second on his most recent start at Limerick, the Robcour-owned seven-year-old raced behind the leaders, taking closer order from the third last.

He was pushed along to lead after the next and kept on well under pressure on the run-in, scoring by two and a half lengths at the line.

“That’s my first winner since losing my claim and it’s nice to get it,” Robinson revealed. “He is a lovely horse and the better the ground the better he is. He jumped super today and finished with a bit left at the end.”

SIMON Torrens and J.P. McManus combined for many valuable wins last season, so it was fitting that Co Tyrone native rode out his claim in the famous green and gold silks aboard Filon D’Oudairies in the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Chase.

The current champion conditional was never far off the pace on the Joseph O’Brien-trained gelding and they hit the front shortly after the last, keeping on well from there to score by three-parts of a length.

The son of Della Francesca had been out of form of late and was returned at 28/1.

He was completing an across the card double for O’Brien, who had earlier taken the Tipperary feature with Seisai.

“I suppose stepping-up in trip to two and a half miles just probably helped him,” said Torrens.

“It’s great to ride out by claim. JP McManus has been a big supporter of mine and I can’t thank him enough. It means a lot to me to ride out my claim in these colours.”

Roi De Dubai goes one better

SECOND in this race 12 months ago, Roi De Dubai (5/1) made the breakthrough over fences in the Download The Boylesports App Beginners Chase.

In front early on, the John McConnell-trained nine-year-old was joined by Ennemi Public from the fifth but was pushed along and regained the lead on the approach to the last.

He asserted his authority on the run-in and came home five and a half lengths to the good under Brian Hayes, in the colours of owner Caroline Ahearn.

“That was great and John’s horses are flying,” Hayes commented. “I was talking to John on the phone and he said the only way we would win it was by going a good gallop and jumping.

“That’s what we did and he jumped well. With the favourite pulling up, it fell into our hands.”

The Cathal Byrnes-trained Turnpike Trip was sent off the 11/10 market leader but pulled up after jumping the first. His rider Cathal Landers reported to the stewards that his mount was holding up a left foreleg opulling up. When later examined by the IHRB Veterinary Officer, the gelding was found post-race normal.

Whenurgoodurgood got Co Meath trainer Joe Fox back amongst the winners in the visitwexford.ie Handicap Hurdle. Previously in the care of Nigel Slevin, the nine-year-old had his first start for Fox at Roscommon last month, finishing fifth over two miles. Upped in trip to three miles, the son of Whitmore’s Conn was sent off at 10/1 under Mike O’Connor.

Having improved to lead entering the straight, he ran around between the final two flights and was soon pressed by Charlie Bit Me (18/5 favourite).

However, the imposing bay victor found more on the run-in and went on to prevail by a one and three-quarter lengths in the colours of Thomas Kelly and Lesley-Anne Fox, daughter of the winning handler.

There was further Royal County success in the concluding Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares INH Flat Race, with Malina Girl taking this two-mile contest for Gavin Cromwell.

Fitted with cheekpieces for the first time, the 2/1 chance was settled in mid-division by Jamie Codd, taking closer order from the three-furlong pole. She was pushed along to lead approaching the straight and kept on well inside the final furlong to fend off the efforts of Via Rosa (6/4 favourite) and Pour The Wine.