PETER Fahey recorded his ninth winner in less than a month at Wexford on Friday last, when Peregrine Run took the feature Brendan Cullimore Electrical Novice Chase.

Successful on his chasing debut over the course and distance last month, the son of King’s Theatre was expected to follow-up here under Roger Loughran.

Sent off the clear 5/4 favourite, the Vincent Byrne-owned seven-year-old, who is a Grade 2 winner over hurdles, was settled in behind the leaders before taking closer order on the approach to the straight. He gained a narrow lead after the second last and was able to maintain that advantage when pushed out on the run-in, scoring by a length.

“I’m thrilled with him to be honest, he has taken to fences really well,” Fahey disclosed.

“They went a really good gallop and he won snug enough at the end. He’ll go to Galway next (August 3rd) for the Grade 3 novice chase over two and a quarter miles.”

Willie Mullins had to settle for second with the front-running Dicosimo, but his other two runners on the card were both triumphant.

Rathvinden provided the champion trainer with his first success, as he justified 6/4 favouritism under Ruby Walsh, his only mount of the evening, in the Stena Line Horizon Beginners Chase.

Third to stablemate Faugheen in the 2014 running of the Neptune Investments Novices’ Hurdle, the son of Heron Island was then off the track for over two and a half years, only returning to action at Navan last December.

Prominent throughout, the Ronnie Bartlett-owned nine-year-old hit the front after the third last, and went a few lengths clear before the next, increasing his advantage on the run-in, coming home 12 lengths to the good.

Walsh said afterwards: “Obviously he has had plenty of problems, but he had a nice run at Ballinrobe (second to Modem) and he improved from it today. He jumped well all the way. We’ll see how he is tomorrow and make a plan from there.”

DOUBLED UP

Mullins doubled-up with Smooth River in the concluding Michael Moore Mercedes-Benz & Volkswagen, Portarlington & Athlone Flat Race.

A good third in a Leopardstown bumper in February 2016 for Stuart Crawford, the daughter of Desert King was making her debut for the master of Closutton here.

Initially easy to back (7/2 to 9/2), she came in for plenty of support near the off, and was sent to post the 11/4 market leader in the colours of owner JJ Haughey.

In a clear lead throughout under Declan Lavery, her advantage was reduced approaching the straight, but she was soon ridden and went on again, coming home a comfortable 14-length victor.

“That was the plan (to make all) as she is very keen and very forward going,” Lavery revealed.

“I never rode her before but I talked to David Casey (Mullins’ assistant), and he just said don’t fight with her. She’s not too bad and stayed going very well. I’d said there is plenty more to come.”

Battle

Robin De Roost was another well-backed winner, as he battled gamely to see off Shake The Bucket by a neck in the Michael Moore Mercedes-Benz & Volkswagen, Portarlington & Athlone Handicap Chase.

Available at 12/1 in early shows, the Tom Gibney-trained, Derek Kierans-owned, seven-year-old opened on course at just 13/2, before going off an 11/2 joint-favourite.

A winner on his previous start at Punchestown, he led until the fifth and then raced in second under Jonathan Moore.

He was pushed along and improved to dispute the lead from the second last, and was ridden to the front on the run-in, keeping on best despite edging slightly right into the runner-up in the closing stages.

“He has shown real battling qualities on his last two runs now, but we weren’t sure that he had those qualities. It was great to see it,” Gibney disclosed.

“It does look like he will get further than that, and we’ll probably try him over further in time. We’ll definitely be thinking of Galway. He is still pretty low in the handicap.”

Galway is also on the agenda for Nulife (9/1), who claimed the first divide of the Mary Barry’s Seafood Bar Handicap Hurdle.

HANDICAP DEBUT

Trained and ridden by Denis Hogan, the chesnut son of Generous was making his debut in handicap company here, while he was also fitted with cheekpieces for the first time.

Having raced mainly behind the leaders, he was short of room on the approach to the straight, but soon got the space he needed, as he stayed on best under pressure on the run-in to prevail by a length and a half.

“I’m thrilled as this horse has been frustrating but has plenty of ability,” Hogan revealed.

“I’m delighted for his owner Tony Ryan who has persevered with him. Hopefully he can go on from here and he might go for the handicap hurdle on the Monday night at Galway.”

Hogan had to settle for the runner-up berth with Mezajy in the second divide of this two-mile handicap, as Rathnaleen Girl (10/1) ran out a decisive victor under Andrew Ring for Philip Byrne and owner John Moylan.

Settled in mid-division, she improved to lead on the approach to the straight, and soon went clear, coming home 12 lengths to the good.

“This time last year she was favourite for a race at Kilbeggan, but on the morning of the race we felt her leg and she had heat in it and a 10% tear,” Byrne divulged.

“She had been off the track for a year, had her comeback run at Kilbeggan 10 days ago and it left her right for today.”

The opening contest on the programme, the info@wexfordraces.ie Mares Maiden Hurdle, went the way of Chestnut Brave for Shay Barry.

Placed on her last three starts, the Hannah Lee-owned five-year-old was backed from 9/2 to 7/2 on course, and was settled behind the leaders by Brian O’Connell.

She hit the front after three out, and fought off the challenge of the 11/8 favourite Gracemount in the straight, coming home with three lengths to spare.

“She wouldn’t be the quickest, but she is all heart and Brian gave her a great ride,” Barry commented.

“All she does is gallop and stay going, she’ll get further too.”

DESERVING VICTOR

Ken’s Well was another deserving victor, providing his trainer Eddie Linehan with his first winner under National Hunt rules in the Stena Line Europe Maiden Hurdle

Second on his last two outings, he went to post the 11/4 joint-favourite under Danny Mullins.

Fitted with a hood for the first time, he improved into a dispute of the lead after the third last, and kicked for home on the approach to the next, staying on well to score by four lengths.

Linehan, who trains the winner for this father John, said afterwards: “I think he was crying out for that trip and something to jump. I’d say the sooner he gets a fence the better.

“He is entered in the sales at Ascot on the 18th, and he might go there but we also might decide to go for a handicap at Galway.”

ACTING STEWARDS

M C. Hickey, J McEnery, N B. Wachman, and H Hynes.

Horse to follow

PANCRACE (G Elliott): The son of Laveron ran a fine race to finish third on his racecourse debut. He was doing all his best work towards the finish, and there should be plenty more to come from the French-bred gelding.