The Edward O'Grady-trained Soul Mate sprang a 10/1 surprise when landing the opening mares maiden hurdle at Wexford last night with Soul Mate. Partnered by David Casey, Soul Mate beat Berkeley Bay by a neck.
Casey then went on to combine with Charlie Swan to capture the Hook Head Hurdle with Strong Project. Sporting the colours of his Hospital breeder John Buckley, Strong Project came home by a comfortable four lengths from Off The Boil.
O'Grady himself later completed a double as his Albatros surged clear on the flat to account for Kilcash Castle in the Irish Ferries Nocvice Chase.
16-year-old Niall Madden, son and namesake of the former Irish champion jockey, partnered his initial career winner aboard his mother Patricia's Teknash in the Handicap Hurdle. The teenager produced Teknash to lead after two out and the pair had three lengths in hand over Bill Bishop at the finish.
The Ger Lyons-trained Monitor earned himself a Galway Plate entry following his clearcut success with Conor O'Dwyer in the Carlsberg Handicap Chase. Wexford-born O'Dwyer then went on to complete a brace with Irishman in the Guinness Handicap Chase. Trained by Paul Roche, Irishman will be next seen in action at the Galway festival.
The Gerard McArdle, which finished third to Like-A-Butterfly over flights at Navan last November, ended the evening on a correct note for punters by easily justifying 6/4 favouritism in the Co Wexford Publications Flat Race.
