Local mare Posh Frock keeps Hunt at bay

Local mare Posh Frock caused a 20/1 surprise in the opening Mount Leinster Maiden Hurdle at Wexford.

The betting said that Easter Hunt would lead home Discover Wexford and Spring Awakening here but the first-named (a 4/9 chance) had just Posh Frock to contend with from before the last.

The victorious Oratorio mare hasn't achieved much for quite a while but on this occasion in receipt of 12Ibs from Easter Hunt she proved the stronger on the run-in under Brian Hayes to triumph by three parts of a length. There was all of twenty three lengths back to Celtique Beau in third.

Winning trainer Lar Byrne said: "I bought her out of Jessica Harrington's and she has had her problems. She had a wind problem and she got her palate done recently.

"She had good form from before and she was just eight lengths behind Apache Stronghold. We will probably look for a handicap at Galway for her and that was her ground today.

"She is owned by Damien Carroll from Dublin and I have to thank him for keeping me going. Sean Malone is down as the owner and he works for Damien. It is nice to get a winner at the local track."

W.F. Codd, trainer of Discover Wexford, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his charge ran too keen and finished distressed

The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Discover Wexford, trained by W.F. Codd, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be blowing hard post race.

The Stewards requested a report from L. Byrne, trainer as to the apparent improvement in form of Posh Frock, placed first, as compared with its recent form. L. Byrne reported that he purchased this animal last October and today she was racing for the sixth time under his care. He contributed todays success to the good to firm ground conditions, the reapplication of a tongue strap and the 5lbs that he claimed off the weight by engaging B. Hayes as her rider. Having considered the evidence the Stewards noted the content of the report.

(DM & EM)