All the big names were at Wexford yesterday evening and the biggest of them all, Michael Kinane surmised that it was over ten years since he'd ridden at the venue. The current second in the jockey's championship had just partnered Darabanka to make a victorious career debut in the maiden.
John Oxx's uneasy 4/6 shot looked to be in a shade of trouble entering the straight but in the end there was no doubting her superiority as she defeated Russian Tsar by a length and a half.
Al Towd appeared to have big claims in the two mile handicap on what he has achieved over hurdles in recent times, but Michael Halford's charge had to pull out all the stops to prevail by a neck.
Ridden by Tadhg O'Shea, the 3/1 second favourite, got the better of Ostfanni by a neck after which Halford suggested, 'we'll mix it with him over the summer and he might even jump a fence later in the year.'
An anticipated match between Arctic Times and General Montcalm for the hunters chase failed to materialise, the former running below his best in third. General Montcalm still had every chance when coming to grief at the last, leaving the way open for Bemo One and Michael O'Connor to coast home by twelve lengths for Conna handler, Martin Hurley.
Gerry Cully's Batang, who landed his connections in hot water when sixth on his previous hurdle outing at Limerick, helped erase memories of that happening by taking the opener in good style. Leading at the second last in the hands of Barry Cash, the German bred came home an easy three length winner. The son of Grand Lodge could now see a quick return to action at either Killarney or Ballinrobe.
On official ratings, Columba was the one to be on in the winners of one hurdle, but that didn't stop punters making Kniaz the evens favourite. That money went astray when this fellow fell five out. In an exciting duel from before the straight, Columba under Paddy Flood proved too good for Oodachee by a length, prompting his trainer Dessie Hughes to say, 'he was due that and loved the ground.'
Lily Shing Shang, a dual winner last term and a definite market-leader in the morning betting, found an SP of 5/1 as a gamble on top-weight, Landira saw her start the 7/2 favourite for division one of the mile five handicap. However the plunge went astray as that filly could only manage 11th (returned with a cut stifle) and the way was left clear for Lily Shing Shang to record an easy win for Pat Hughes and Declan McDonagh.
Favourite backers fared better in the other section of this race, 7/2 shot, Arbelina battling well under Denis Hogan to beat Dash Of Grey by a head. Ten pound apprentice Hogan was gaining his third win aboard the Willie Austin trained filly and as a consequence he now sees his claim reduced to 7Ibs.
Paul Tobin brought John Morrison's Shouland from well off the pace in the closing bumper to defeat Wishwillow Lord by a head with gambled-on Lord Of The Artic back in third.
