Power back in the winner's enclosure

Ian Power partnered his first winner for more than four years when steering Misty Weather to win the Vinegar Hill Maiden Hurdle at Wexford today, showing plenty of the skill which enabled the jockey to ride 22 winners in the 2002/03 season.

Power, under-study to Paul Carberry in his time at Noel Meade's yard ten years ago, has been absent from the saddle in recent years but will surely have got a kick out of relegating Carberry (on Fairwood Massini into the runner-up spot today, staying on well under a strong ride to score a hard-fought half length win.

Winning trainer Vincent Halley, based in Kilmacthomas, Co Waterford, was himself recording his first winner since his Boxing Along won at Limerick on St Stephen's Day 2009, later stated “I had three point to point winners this season but my horses were sick during the winter so i didn't have many runners on the track.

“Misty Weather is very consistent and straightforward to train and we expected her to go close. Thankfully she got her head in front and she'll get a little break now and then we'll make plans.”