Speed gains deserved success

Speed Dial hung on in a driving finish to the Gorey Handicap Hurdle at Wexford. Luddsdenene went clear early in the two-miler but was pegged back two out and Speed Dial travelled well to lead before the home turn.

He was soon tackled by Jacks Island however, and had to pull out all the stops on the run-in under Tim Carroll.

The two flashed past the post locked together as the runner-up just failed by a short-head to peg his rival back.

The Pat Hughes-trained winner was sent off 4/1 joint second favourite with the market leader Mollys Captain back in third.

Speed Dial was gaining a deserved success having been runner-up on two of his last three efforts and falling when looking set to score at Clonmel last month.

"I'm not convinced he would have won at Clonmel as he barely gets two miles," said Hughes.

"He doesn't travel too well but he comes flying at the finish. He has come good this year.

"He doesn't really want the ground too heavy and that's why we rode him on the outside. He'll go to Gowran again next week."

(Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes)