CROWSATEDAPPLETART continued his love affair with Wexford, when recording a third win from four visits to the sunny south-east on Thursday.

The Mick Winters-trained gelding went to post at 10/1 in the Wexford Town Handicap Chase on the card and was held up in the early stages by Michael Kenneally. He came with a strong charge to lead on the run-in and record a two-and-a-quarter-length win over Kilbrin Rocco.

“He was out all winter and came in a bit poor. He got six or eight weeks of lunging and three weeks of riding and he ran a great race in Limerick (first time back),” said Winters of Paul Mullins’ gelding.

“We were happy to be in the first three today. He minds a bit for himself and I’d say the main thing is to hunt around and let him enjoy himself.”

Butter Fingers holds on

In the preceding handicap chase, over the same two-mile trip, Shane Markey partnered his first winner over fences aboard Butter Fingers.

The Ross O’Sullivan-trained gelding went to post 10/3 favourite on his return to chasing and got the better of front-runner Tequila Talkin’ late on to record a length-and-a-half win.

“We’re delighted with him. He jumped like a buck and Shane gave him a great ride,” said assistant trainer Tom Harney. “Shane didn’t have much experience over fences and he was a good one to get him going. I’m delighted for him, as he works hard in the yard.

“I’m delighted for Tommy Ward as well, he’s a great supporter of Ross and has been with him a long time.”

WILD Bill Hickok made an impressive start over fences for Ciaran Murphy in the opening beginners’ chase over two miles.

The Walk In The Park gelding, a listed hurdle winner in France, was making his second outing since returning to Ireland and went to post a 15/2 shot, under Eoghan Finegan.

He had to overcome trouble between the last two fences, getting squeezed up when coming with his run, but quickened away in good style on the run-in for an 11-length success over Mick Collins.

“The owner (Patrick Sheanon) has backed me this year and it’s a pleasing result for him and a lovely start. I’m delighted,” said Murphy afterwards.

“We’re not getting carried away with that race, as it fell away a bit, but he’s a nice prospect going forward. We had him as a young horse for Coolmore and Gerry Aherne had recommended him back to me and that’s the way it worked out.”

Doyle sits tight

The other beginners’ chase on the card, over two miles seven, produced a tight finish with the Tom Cooper-trained D Art D Art just prevailing late. Ricky Doyle did well to sit with his mount after he pecked at the fourth last and produced the 15/2 shot to dispute going to the second last.

He fought it out with 4/5 favourite Hiddenvalley Lake in the closing stages and just edged ahead close home for a head victory. The stewards had a look after the pair came close late on, but the result stood.

“This horse came back from the dead, so it’s some achievement, he was badly hurt,” said Cooper, who was leading up Ciaran Mooney’s gelding.

“He was very brave, novicey at a couple and maybe a bit too brave. The further he went, the better he got. He’s always had ability, but he had to come back from a horrific injury.”

THE last three races were for point-to-pointers and Pa King gave Muskerry Rock a power-packed ride to claim the novice hunters chase. His mount had to be pushed along at stages and it was an all-out drive from the third last.

Tiffiny’s Girl headed him after a slow leap two from home, but the 12/1 shot, trained by the rider’s brother James, stayed on to lead again on the run-in and post a four-and-a-quarter-length win.

The winning rider said: “You can’t go too fast with him, he just likes to be hunted along. He jumps for fun and it was a great win. I was a bit slow at the second last, got in under it, but I met the last on a good stride and he was good and quick and landed running and going away again.

“He makes you work a little bit for it, but that’s okay. He’s a very important horse as he’s in my wife’s colours. He was the first point-to-point winner and now first track win, so it’s all good at home!

“He could possibly go to the sale in Tattersalls in May. I spoke to Jamie Codd before the race and he said there would be a good market for him.”

Big winner’s reception

The biggest reception on the day was for the locally-trained Wilton Mills Trier after her victory in the Slaney Mares point-to-point bumper. Luke Murphy led over a furlong out on the 10/3 favourite, as Paul Pierce’s charge posted a two-length win over long-time leader Five Shiros.

Murphy said: “It worked out lovely today, it just suited us following. Turning in, she just opened up lovely. She probably learned a bit from the last day, the experience stood to her.

“She won her point-to-point very well and the Pierces always liked her all the way through. She will make a nice chaser too.”

Grade 1-winning jockey Josh Halford continued his good run when claiming the concluding geldings’ contest on Fortysixnchange for boss Gordon Elliott.

The 10/3 shot swept to the front turning for home in the two-mile-one contest and galloped on strongly in the closing stages to score by three lengths in the colours of Ray Stokes.

Halford said: “He did it very well, he’s a very straightforward type. He appreciated that good ground. I didn’t want to get caught in behind the horse that was making it and it worked out well. I kept out of trouble and kept it simple on him.”