WORKAHEAD proved the star of the show at Wexford last Saturday with a scintillating display on his chase debut. The Henry de Bromhead-trained gelding was making his first start over the larger obstacles having competed in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham last time out.
He went to post 11/8 favourite in the two-miler and produced a fine round of jumping under Darragh O’Keeffe. The Workforce gelding hit the front turning for home and kept on strongly over the last two to record a seven-and-a-half-length success over long-time leader Supersundae.
“I’m delighted with that. I hoped he might do that, he’s a class horse and it’s lovely to see him back to form,” said de Bromhead. “He said he jumped brilliantly and Darragh was brilliant on him. It’s lovely for the Moloneys.”
De Bromhead went on to complete a double in the concluding mares bumper with The Besty Woman. John Gleeson was in front from halfway on the 6/4 favourite and she responded well when asked for an effort in the straight to record a length-and-a-quarter success over Gortnaclea Castle.
“I’m delighted for the (Best Women) syndicate as it’s their first horse with us,” said de Bromhead. “Conor Hayes recommended the mare to them. John gave her a super ride and she’s a lovely mare. There is plenty to look forward to with her.
“We’ll give her a break now but we’ll have her back early as she definitely prefers a bit of nice ground. She’ll go hurdling, she’s already had a couple of nice runs over hurdles.”
HANDLER Colin Bowe was another to bag a brace of winners on the card, courtesy of Morell River and North Of Nashville. The former recorded her second win at the venue on her seasonal debut when taking the Forth Mountain Trails Mares Handicap Hurdle.
Sean O’Keeffe held his mount up in the early stages of the two-and-a-half-mile contest before producing her to lead over the last for a length-and-a-half success at 7/1.
The winning rider, in the colours of Mary Fitzpatrick, said: “She jumped really well today, her jumping is after really sharpening up. She was very straightforward and I was able to track away. In fairness to Colin Bowe, he’s a top man to have them ready.”
In the three-mile-one handicap chase later on the card, North Of Nashville was another to win back at the venue. The Soldier Of Fortune mare led three from home, under Ricky Doyle, to record a nine-length success over long-time leader Ceroc.
Assistant Brendan Walsh said of the 9/1 winner: “It was a very good display, she went a right good gallop and kept jumping and stayed strongly at the end. We’ve no fancy plans, we’re just delighted to get another day out of her.”
Red-letter day for Kiely
Waterford handler Patrick Kiely had a day to remember when Dromana Mist gave him his first taste of racecourse success in the opening ‘unplaced’ mares maiden hurdle.
The Poet’s Word filly attracted some support in the ring, into 17/2, and led turning for home, under Dylan Whelan, to record a convincing two-and-three-quarter-length win over Lady Fromntro.
“That’s my first winner on the track,” said Kiely. “She’s a lovely mare and I had the race mapped out from last week. She needed to have a run in Cork to qualify for it.
“I use the beach every day. I’m in Stradbally, Co Waterford. I’d have 12 or 15 in the whole time, four or five pre-trainers and a couple to run on the track.
“Dylan is my cousin as well. He’s back from England where he rode a few winners.”
‘SHARK’ Hanlon recorded his first winner of 2026 when Mo Ghille Mar claimed the first division of the Slaney River Handicap Hurdle.
The Zoffany mare was prominent throughout for Gary Noonan and hit the front before the second last. She galloped on strongly in the closing stages to score by three and a quarter lengths at 22/1.
“Gary said before he jumped the second last it was over. She’s a right mare but she’s very quirky. My heart is broke with her!” said Hanlon.
“It’s my first winner for Bronsan Racing, they sent her to me from Jessica Harrington’s. In fairness, Jessie was very good and told me everything they did with her and it worked for me as well.”
In the second division of the race, Gamigin bounced back to winning ways for Noel Kelly. The Dark Angel gelding led turning for home, under Oran McGill, and asserted in the closing stages for a five-and-a-half length win over Bossing It.
It was a first success since August 2024 for the 9/2 favourite and Kelly said: “He likes the small, handy tracks. He is what he is and it wasn’t the strongest race in the world today. He’s a grand horse and he’s won plenty of races in that grade. He’s been a good servant.”
Kiss collects for O’Dwyers
The Conor O’Dwyer-trained Teenage Kiss bagged a deserved success when landing the Ambrex Switchgear Handicap Hurdle.
The trainer’s son Charlie produced the 5/1 shot to lead going to the final flight in the three-miler and she went on to post a two-and-a-half-length win over owner J.P. McManus’ other runner Watching The Clock.
“She’s a Walk In The Park mare and they aren’t straightforward. She enjoyed the step up in trip and everything went well. Charlie was good on her, they went a nice gallop and he gave her a chance,” said the winning trainer.
“I wouldn’t mind jumping a fence with her. She’s a great mare to leap. J.P. is a great supporter of ours, and of Charlie’s, and to get a winner for him is very sweet.”