Corkbeg makes winning return

Corkbeg stormed home to land the spoils in the Sulzer Handicap Hurdle at Wexford on his return to action.

The Harry Kelly-trained gelding was a winner at Clonmel last September before finishing down the field at Cork the following month.

He went to post an 18/1 shot on his seasonal debut and was held up in the early stages by Denis O'Regan.

Front-runner Depeche Mo looked to have the field on the stretch running to the last but was chased down in the closing stages by Corkbeg as he got on top for a half length success.

 O'Regan said: "I rode him in Tramore and Kilbeggan last year and then he won in Clonmel in October. Today was the first time I've sat on him since.

“I think he has come back a bit better and stronger. He was nice and fresh today but I didn't think the trip would suit him.

“I don't know about the strength of the race today but he done it well. He jumped well and it's great to ride a winner for Harry.

“He won over two-and-a-half in Clonmel so we thought it was a bit short for him today. Sometimes in Wexford they can go a gallop though and you need a horse that stays. They went a nice good gallop today."

(Quotes by Donal Murphy)