Local rider John Cullen recorded his first ever treble at Wexford yesterday evening when successful aboard Moores Light, Haveityourway and Carina Bay.
Moores Light, who has been scanned in foal to Luso, justified good support in the Irish Ferries (Mares) Maiden Hurdle. Paul Nolan's charge, backed from 9/2 to 3/1, led after two out but needed to be driven right out to hold off favourite Rapsan by two lengths.
Cullen, who will be presented with the prize for champion claimer at the National Hunt awards in Adare this evening, had fortune on his side in the Chadwicks Hurdle.
Quadco was installed the 4/9 favourite for this two and a half miles event, and the hot-pot looked set to land the odds until Norman Williamson lost his right iron approaching the last. He became unbalanced, and was unseated after the final flight leaving Cullen's mount Haveityourway to deny Rough Gamble by a shorthead.
Cullen completed a 923/1 treble in the Club Orange Novice Chase on Carina Bay. Odds-on punters again had their fingers burned as Coq De Mirande (4/7 to 2/5) could find no extra when headed after two out by the Sean Treacy-trained gelding.
'I was very disappointed with his form recently over hurdles, and he hasen't done alot of schooling over fences. He won a handicap hurdle at Galway last year, and will head there again for a winners chase', said a delighted Treacy.
Punters had better luck in the Carlsberg Lager Handicap Chase, striking the front before two out under Garrett Cotter before holding on by a diminishing half length from Francines-Boy.
Desperate Road was confidently ridden by Sean McDermott to land the Baileys Handicap Hurdle, heading Moorside River at the final bend to score by three and a half lengths. The eight-year-old mare 'loves it like the road', and is one of six in training with Carlow handler John Foley.
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