Wexford brace for Mullins and Townend Eight And Bob (6/5 favourite) delivered on start number four for the Act D Wagg Syndicate and Willie Mullins in the Casey Enterprises Handicap Hurdle at Wexford. He was bringing up a double at the venue for Mullins and successful pilot Paul Townend. Expensive to follow in his outings before for Closutton, Eight And Bob was never too far away this time and once asked the Big Bad Bob gelding found top gear from before the straight. On his fifth start for the McParlans, Walkers Point ran a cracker, but Eight And Bob convincingly had his measure at the line - by a length and three parts. They drew on by six and a half lengths from the third home, Grey Atlantic Way. Representative of the stable and owners, former jockey David Casey said: "That'll keep the women happy. Happy wife, happy life! "He is a fun horse, I don't think he is any Clondaw Warrior (who did them proud in the past), but he is after winning now and that's all you want. "Hopefully he will get further. He won over a mile and seven on the Flat, and any horse that stays that far on the Flat should stay even further over hurdles. He ran well in the north and if he can pick up another one or two somewhere we will be delighted." The earlier winner at Wexford for Mullins and Townend was Sapphire Lady in race two. A.E. Lynch, rider of Realta Rathcabhain trained by Desmond McDonogh, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount finished lame. The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer reported to the Stewards that Realta Rathcabhain trained by Desmond McDonogh was lame on his left fore post race. (DM & EM)
