Wexford provides Burke with first double

Jonathan Burke recorded his first ever double as he took the last at Killarney this evening, the Killarney Oaks Hotel Maiden Hurdle, on Discover Wexford (first time tongue strap) for Willie Codd.

Burke, who turned professional in May, earlier won the feature race on The Game Changer for Charlie Swan.

Discover Wexford, who is a five-year-old daughter of King’s Theatre, ran well on her first two starts in bumpers but disappointed on her last two outings.

Having her second start over hurdles this evening she was sent off at 4/1 having opened at 9/2 on-course (started at just 11/4 this morning).

She raced towards the rear for much of the contest before improving to take closer order after five out.

She was ridden before the third last and came with her challenge on the outer, hitting the front before the final flight and keeping on well on the run-in to score by two and a quarter lengths. Hard Fought finished second under Jody McGarvey for Eddie Hales at 11/4 while Little Jimmy Brown who was sent off the 5/2 favourite, was a further three and a quarter lengths back in third under Davy Russell for John O'Shaughnessy.

Willie Codd said afterwards: "I’m thrilled with that. She is a bit of a funny mare. I thought when she ran at Gowran last year that she could be alright but she has been a bit disappointing since.

"She worked so badly the other morning I couldn’t believe it so we put a tongue tie on her and it’s worked.

"She has a lovely pedigree and she will make a lovely broodmare in time. She could do well over fences if that’s the way the owners want to go."

Additional reporting by Alan Magee