Ah Ref crossed the line one and a quarter lengths in front of Operation Houdini in the Noel Cummins Bookmaker Handicap Chase, but he had to survive a steward's enquiry before being confirmed the winner, much to the relief of his connections, Leonard Whitmore, Sean Flanagan and his owners, the Harbour Lights Syndicate.
This was a real Wexford success as all involved are from the Model county. The dual point-to-point winner hampered Operation Houdini, when drifting to his left between the last two fences, but the interference wasn't deemed enough to amend the result. Heroes Square (3/1 in the morning into 6/4) could manage only sixth. (EM)
