Jockey O'Connor back in business

The front two pulled well clear in the bumper at Wexford, but at the business end Falcarragh and Mikey O’Connor won a shade snugly from Wrong Way Corrigan and Patrick Mullins.

This was O’Connor’s first winner since dislocating his right ankle at Tramore point-to-point in April. The winning margin was three parts of a length at the end of the two mile two furlong contest, but O’Connor didn’t have to get too serious with the five-year-old son of Alderbrook who travelled strongly round the home bend.

David O’Brien trained the winner and he said: “That’s the owner Aidan Fogarty’s first winner. He’s originally from Birr. I’m delighted for Aidan as he has been a great help to me getting owners.

“Falcarragh was beaten by a couple of good horses. Last time he sweated up badly at Cork and disappointed. He’ll probably go hurdling now.” Solidago was 15 lengths behind the runner-up in third, but covered the expenses for the long trek down from Stuart Crawford’s yard in Larne, Co Antrim.

The winner was returned at 8/1, but paid a healthy 21.50 euro on the Tote for a win. Runner-up Wrong Way Corrigan went off 11/4 favourite from 4s in the morning.

Eoin Doyle’s Knockaderry again attracted support (from 10/1 in the morning to an SP of 7/1), however he was pulled up again as at Punchestown (where he scoped badly).

Michael Graham