Obispo makes all in Wexford opener

Obispo made every yard to land a bit of a touch in the opening maiden hurdle at Wexford this evening.

Ben Dalton cut out the running on the Bishop Of Cashel gelding and he stuck on well in the closing stages to get the job done.

Bunty Lawless gave chase turning for home as 11/8 favourite Mutiska made ground in third.

The pair could make no impression on Colin McBratney's charge on the run-in however. Mutiska came through to grab the runner-up spot but was two-lengths off the winner.

McBratney was rewarded for a long trip from his Downpatrick base. Obispo had looked held when falling at Perth last time and had also run well in his two previous starts.

He was available at 6/1 this morning but attracted support into 9/2. The money continued on track and he was returned 3/1 second choice.

“He fell the last day in Perth but ran a nice race in Gowran the time before,” said McBratney.

“He wasn't going to stay the three miles in Perth so we said we'd drop him back to two here.

“He jumped well. It probably wasn't a great race. He'll jump a fence in time but will go for a handicap next.”

(Additional reporting by Donal Murphy)