Gerry Cully and Davy Condon enjoyed an 87/1 St Patrick's day double at Wexford when successfully teaming up with Arc En Ciel and Estarana.
Cully was full of praise for Condon who gave Arc En Ciel a typically patient ride to defy top-weight in the Knockhouse Stud Novice Handicap Hurdle. He produced the five-year-old gelding to land in front over the last to beat Mags Benefit by two lengths with Medici the same distance back in third. 'Arc En Ciel has been running against some good novices, and he'll go to Fairyhouse or Punchestown now. He seems to go on any ground, and Davy gave him a lovely ride,' said Cully.
Andrew Leigh, son of Moscow Flyer's regular work-rider Eamonn, was stood down for the remainder of the afternoon after injuring his shoulder when Dochas took a heavy fall while leading four out.
Condon recorded his tenth win since switching his attention to the jumping game this season when again coming from off the pace on Estarana in the three miles Pinnacle Handicap Hurdle. The eight-year-old mare headed the front-running Killeaney off the home bend, and kept on strongly to score by four and a half lengths. 'She's been unlucky and had her fair share of injuries but should make a nice chaser next season,' said Cully.
Adrian Lane successfully deputised for Davy Russell, who was unable to get back from Cheltenham due to a flight cancellation, on Esti Ab in the opening Rosslare Maiden Hurdle. The free-running son of Danehill made all and came home unchallenged for a 12 lengths verdict over Eye Candy.
Bewleys Best took a walk in the market from evens out to 7/4 in the Garryrichard Stud Hunters Chase but gave favourite backers their only worry when pecking on landing over the last when gaining a seven length victory under Donal MacAuley. 'He won a point-to-point so well at Killinick last Sunday that we decided to come here,' said trainer Lillian Doyle, who indicated that she may give him a little break before going for another hunter chase.
Tom Taaffe received a welcome boost on the eve of Kicking King's Gold Cup bid when the Shane McGovern-ridden Native Heights took advantage of the last fence error by Laoch Dubh in the Bettyville Park Beginners Chase to prevail by a neck.
Vicars Way settled the issue quickly when dashing clear after two out under Johnny Levins in the Michael O'Murchadha Handicap Chase, staying on strongly in the straight to beat Stonebridge Chance by 15 lengths. The seven-year-old gelding, who carries the colours of former Presidential candidate Derek Nally, may bid for a hat-trick at the upcoming Easter Festival meeting in Fairyhouse.
Ashamdil sent punters home happy when benefitting from a strong drive by Karl Wyse to overhaul Georginas Girl by a length in the bumper.
Alan Magee
