Credo Star, left, battles with The Nutcracker in Wexford© Photo Healy Racing
Racegoers at Wexford got their first taste of left-handed racing at the course as the one-day trial got underway with the Loch Garman Maiden Hurdle.< The Nutcracker looked the likely winner for a long way, but had no answer once 13-2 chance Credo Star hit the front after the second last and the latter was good value for her three-quarters of a length success.< Poetic Lord gave Cian Collins a day to remember as they combined to provide the jockey with his first professional winner in the Barrow Maiden Hurdle.
The Sandra Hughes-trained gelding pounced on a penultimate flight blunder by Credulous and although having to hold off a late challenge from well-backed favourite Teoleena Collins always appeared to have matters in hand aboard the half-length victor, who returned at 8-1.
Luke Dempsey won similar plaudits with his ride aboard 11-4 favourite Solita in the Courtdown Rated Novice Hurdle.
Paul Nolan's charge wasn't travelling in the early stages but Dempsey kept pushing away and his efforts were rewarded with a sustained late run which saw his mount eventually run out a two-length winner.
Things were much for straightforward for By The Banks (12-1), who had matters sewn up a long way from home in the www.wexfordraces.ie Handicap Hurdle and his four and three quarter-length winning distance by no means flattered his dominance.< Annie Oakley (12-1) was just as impressive when quickening up in good style to brush aside 9-10 favourite Dushrembrandt by three lengths in the Wexford Racecourse On Facebook Rated Novice Chase.< Better B Quick tried hard in the closing stages of the Slaney Handicap Chase, but still trailed All The Way Home by one and a quarter lengths at the line as the 10-1 winner bounced right back to his very best.
