Burning Issues (Sean Flanagan, nearside) saw off Stop Road Lad (far side) and Megan's Vic just in behind© Photo Healy Racing
Wexford trainer Tom James trained his third winner under Rules and his first since August 2011 when Burning Issues came out on top in a rousing finale to the Book Thyestes Packages Today Novice Handicap Hurdle at Gowran.
The Sean Flanagan-ridden Burning Issues and Martin Burke's mount Stop Road Lad were eventually just split by half a length with Megan's Vic on their tails a length off in third.
"He had a very good run the last day behind Brand Ambassador (the previous winner on this card) and he has done nothing wrong since," reported James.
"He is improving all the time. We were afraid of the rain but it has made the ground loose and he handles that, he wouldn't get away with anything worse than that.
"We'll see what the handicapper gives him and we will make a plan from there. Today was the plan really and we will see how we go."
James' father Noel owns the victorious Gold Well gelding.
S.A. Shortall, rider of Ram Them All trained by P.A.Fahy, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount got tired on the ground(yielding).
(DM & EM)