Johnny Clarke and Darragh O Keeffe © Photo Healy Racing
Johnny Clarke gained compensation for a narrow defeat on his last visit to Wexford when claiming the first division of the Tote Handicap Hurdle this afternoon.
Darragh O'Keeffe produced the 9/2 shot to tackle front-runner Tingarran Express two from home and he edged ahead going to the last.
The Liam Burke-trained gelding asserted on the run-in and then held the late charge of 33/1 shot Ballycommon Chapel to record a half-length success.
Johnny Clarke had run well over course and distance in late May when failing by a neck to peg back Future Proof.
O'Keeffe said afterwards:- "It's great to get a winner on the board for Liam. He tries very hard and has been good to me, so it's great.
“This horse had a good run the last day and I thought coming away from it that I was unlucky. It was his first run in a handicap and he just lacked that bit of experience.
“He was sharper for it and he worked the other morning and was in good nick, so we were hopeful of a good run today.
"He is a fine big horse and had plenty of time off so it is a good training performance by Liam to get him back to the track.
“It great to get a win out of him for the owners and hopefully he'll be able to build on today and there might be another day in him."
(Quotes by Donal Murphy)
