EKLAT De Rire followed in the hoofprints of his illustrious stable companion Minella Indo as he ran out a comfortable winner of the BetVictor M.W Hickey Memorial Chase.

Minella Indo used this listed contest as a stepping-stone to Cheltenham Gold Cup success 12 months ago, with much bigger targets now also on the horizon for Eklat De Rire.

Providing Rachael Blackmore with her first win since returning from injury, the Saddex gelding was sent off the 10/11 favourite in the colours of owner Peter Davies.

Completing a double for Henry de Bromhead, the seven-year-old was sent to the front from the eighth. He wasn’t fluent at the fourth last and was pushed along to maintain his advantage in the straight, coming home four and a half lengths clear of Conflated.

Out of action for just over three months and having her fourth ride since returning, Blackmore commented: “It’s great to be back and it’s lovely to ride a winner on that horse. He is a really, really nice horse and I think he is going to have a big future.”

“Today was to get him started and try to get some confidence back,” de Bromhead added. “We have entered him in the Ladbroke Trophy at Newbury. He could possibly go for that, but we will take it one day at a time with him.”

Back to form

Fangio De Vassy initiated the de Bromhead brace as he bounced back to form in the Peter Nolan Bloodstock Maiden Hurdle.

Ultimately disappointing since a promising effort at Leopardstown last Christmas, the French-bred gelding was sent off an 11/2 chance for owner Robert Finnegan.

Fitted with cheekpieces for the first time, the six-year-old was always prominent on the outer under Hugh Morgan and was pushed into a definite lead before the second last.

He jumped right at the last, which he had done on occasions throughout, but kept on well when ridden on the run-in, with two lengths the margin of victory.

“The cheekpieces sharpened him up a bit, he is just funny jumping hurdles,” de Bromhead explained.

“His first run for us was great but then he was very disappointing. It’s lovely to get him back in form. I’d imagine we will send him on over fences now.”

Mulvany charge shows hot form

MICK Mulvany was another to complete a double, with his In From The Cold claiming the opening BetVictor Maiden Hurdle.

Rated in the 90s on the level and successful at Leopardstown last Saturday, the Larry Mulvany-owned 9/2 chance (from 8s early) was making his debut over flights in this two-mile contest.

Settled in third by Sean Flanagan, he came with his challenge approaching the last and had a good battle with Level Neverending (11/10 favourite) on the run-in, with just a neck separating them at the line.

“I think a lot of this horse. He came out of the race on Saturday well and he is a good, tough horse,” the winning trainer remarked.

“We are hoping that he will turn into a top novice and hopefully he will keep improving.”

Recording his second win of the season at Wexford, Barnacullia rounded off an afternoon to remember for Mulvany in the Kehoe Farming Rated Novice Hurdle.

Having raced in mid-division under Jordan Gainford, the 10/3 chance took closer order from four out and came with his effort on the approach to the second last.

Soon in front, he was pressed by Mc Alpine from the final flight, but pulled out more when ridden on the run-in, coming home three lengths to the good for the Clearys Syndicate.

“I’m very happy with him and he is improving all of the time,” Mulvany disclosed.

“He is a great chasing prospect, we’ve schooled him over fences and he jumps well.”

Fahey takes three-in-a-row

TAKE All provided Seamus Fahey with his third winner in-a-row, as he took the scalp of Mt Leinster and Cayd Boy in the Download The Boylesports App Beginners Chase.

Mt Leinster (6/5 favourite) and Cayd Boy (6/4) dominated the betting for this two-mile contest, with Take All going off at 28/1 in the colours of owner/breeder James Cleary.

Ridden to challenge from the last, the bay victor came with his run between the market principals on the drive to the line, staying on best to prevail by a length under Kevin Sexton.

Fahey, who was successful with Crackaway and Cullaghs Star on Friday and Sunday respectively, said: “That’s three winners in-a-row and it’s unreal. We have eight horses to run and any of them that have ability are running up to it.

“When I saw the quality of this race, I was half thinking of side-stepping it. We don’t have a plan for him, but we will have great sport making it now.”

There was better luck for favourite backers in the concluding BetVictor (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race, with Fameaftertheglory (8/13 favourite) comfortably landing the odds.

Trained by Gavin Cromwell and owned by the Mick & Molly Syndicate, the Fame And Glory bay led for much of the race and was pushed along to assert from the furlong pole.

He kept on well in the closing stages under Patrick Mullins and came home two and three-quarter lengths clear of Where It All Began.

“It was very straightforward. He is a big, strong-galloping horse and I think Gavin will win plenty of races with him,” Mullins revealed.

Follow up

A large contingent of the Miracle Racing Syndicate were present to see Clarens follow up on his Listowel success in the Dan & May Arnold Memorial Opportunity Handicap Hurdle.

Trained in Co Waterford by John Flavin, the 6/1 chance was always prominent under Jack Foley, travelling best on the outer to lead before the second last.

A mistake at that obstacle gave Ricky Bobby a chance to take advantage, but he then blundered at the final flight, with Clarens keeping on well to prevail by a length and a quarter.

“He won nicely at Listowel but he was one of five last time out winners in this, so I wasn’t sure how he’d get on,” Flavin stated.

“Decky McKenna and Johnny Ryan got the group set up and there are people from the UK, Waterford and Kilkenny involved.”