THE beginners’ and novice contests were the main focus of interest on Wexford’s all-chase card, which saw the resumption of the Irish National Hunt season after a 15-day hiatus.

State Man’s half-brother Soir De Garde (11/2) was the lesser fancied of two Willie Mullins-trained runners in the two-mile beginners’ chase and overcame a few errors on his first run over fences to win in the colours of Marie Donnelly.