Watch House Cross and Darragh O'Keeffe © Photo Healy Racing
Watch House Cross survived an mid-race scare to open his account over fences in the Poolcourt Novice Chase at Wexford.
Henry de Bromhead's charge jumped well early, as he tracked front-runner Uncle Phil until taking a chance at the fifth fence.
The Libertarian gelding travelled well to hit the front turning for home, under Darragh O'Keeffe, in the two-miler but made a slight error at the second last.
He was better over the final fence and the 11/4 shot was always holding 13/8 favourite Senecia in the closing stages as he recorded a three-and-three-quarter length win.
O'Keeffe said: "He was very good bar that one mistake. I schooled him Thursday morning in Henry's and I was looking forward to riding him today.
“Over the first few fences he was very good. Going down to the one he made a mistake at there was no stride and he guessed a little bit at it. At a fence up the top he had a similar stride but was much cleverer at it.
“He loved the ground. He had been running over longer trips and looked like a keen going sort. I was just hoping he wouldn't be on his head.
“I was keen to get upsides Willie's horse (Uncle Phil) coming down into the dip and he was good and accurate over the last two fences. We got a grand lead and he was travelling everywhere the whole way. Even after the mistake he was back on the bridle again.
“I'd say it will do his confidence the world of good. He won a point-to-point and a maiden hurdle but it just didn't happen for him over fences then. It's great to get his head in front today and hopefully he can build on it.
(Quotes by Donal Murphy)
