Rodaniche, left, has Chiricahua in his sights at the last© Photo Healy Racing
Rodaniche claimed long-time leader Chiricahua on the run-in of the extended two and a half mile maiden hurdle in Wexford.
Jack Kennedy and Rodancihe stalked Chiricahua throughout but the leader looked to have them on the stretch after the third last.
Kennedy asked his mount to cut into the gap before the home bend and his partner kept grinding. He came through to collar his rival in the final 100 yards and won going away by three and a quarter lengths for Gordon Elliott. The winner was returned at 9/4 from the 5/2 runner-up. Midnight Our Fred was a major plunge horse from an opening show of 33/1 down to 13/2. He plodded on for third some 17 lengths adrift so the place money was landed.
Kennedy said: "He jumped and kept at it well. He will probably get three miles and is a lovely horse.
"I'm delighted for the Scullys, it's good to get a nice horse for them.
"Hopefully he can keep improving. He improved from his run at Listowel, and the ground and the extra trip here helped him."
The Stewards received a report from the Clerk of the Scales, Mr. P. L. Malone, that N.T. Prendergast, rider of Roccorionach had presented himself to weigh out at four pounds overweight, none of which had been declared at declaration time. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned who accepted that this was the case. Evidence was also heard from Miss. Evanna McCutcheon, Trainer, who stated that she was happy for N. T. Prendergast to do the overweight if allowed to take up his mount. Having considered the evidence, the Stewards allowed the overweight on this occasion. They were, however, satisfied that N. T. Prendergast was in breach of Rule 195 and Rule 198 and having considered N. T. Prendergast's record in this regard the Stewards fined him €150 on this occasion.
Additional reporting by Donal Murphy
