Alf has plenty of locals smiling at Tramore

Following on from Dusty Trail yesterday, formidable local owner/trainer combination Paul Holden and Eoin Doyle struck again when Alf Wright landed a gamble in the Waterford & Tramore Racecourse Directors Handicap Hurdle with Jody McGarvey up.

Backed from around 8/1 this morning into 100/30, Alf Wright was noted travelling strongly when an excellent jump put him right into the mix at the third last.

Another good leap was forthcoming from the course winner (in a chase at last year's Festival) at the next and he was soon in the lead.

However a mistake at the last threatened to ruin things for Alf Wright but he found more when required to see off Line View by a neck.

"That was great. He got a knock in Limerick and he was off for two weeks. I was a bit worried about his fitness here.

"I still think he'll be a nice horse over fences. He's a horse I like and he travelled great there.

"We've have no real plan for him now," reflected Doyle in the aftermath.

Alf Wright, a point-to-point winner for his breeder, Kevin O'Donnell, is reportedly named after an English man who hunted the hounds for the Kilkenny Hunt from the McCalmount's homestead at Mount Juliet. (DM & EM)