Search
Punchestown 2024
Punchestown 2024
- irishracing.com
- Punchestown
- News
- Review wexford 11th Apr
Review wexford 11th Apr
Gold Platinum (centre) leads the 16-runner mares maiden hurdle
© Photo Healy Racing
Kevin Sexton is locked in a duel with Jody McGarvey for the conditional jockeys' title and edged one ahead when Gold Platinum took the Ingard Point Mares Maiden Hurdle at Wexford.
Willie Austin's seven-year-old, who had the misfortune to be thrown out for taking the wrong course after finishing second on her previous start, shared pacesetting duties with Contessa Margerita for much of the way.
Once she had shaken off that rival the 3-1 shot looked in control of the race, travelling well in front and running on strongly to account for Vic Dancer by three lengths, with the favourite Painted Lady third.
Brian O'Connell took a tumble and was stood down for the rest of the day, so Adrian Heskin came in for two winning rides for Liz Doyle, starting with Maguire's Glen in the Welcome To Chef Phelim Byrne Seasuir To The Ivy Room Handicap Hurdle.
The 9-2 joint-favourite won at Cork last time and showed himself to be ahead of the handicapper as he shrugged off a 7lb rise in the ratings to clear away from the last in beating Horendus Hulabaloo by five and a half lengths.
Then Lord Alfie (5-1) took the last fence locked in a three-way battle for the Taghmon Athletics Club Raceday Handicap Chase and came out best on the run-in, beating favourite Sherika by a length and a quarter after Appletime fell.
Paul Nolan was also in double form, evens favourite Highbrow Blue romping away with the Black Point Beginners Chase under Davy Russell and Seven Acres (9-1) taking the Oysters Point Handicap Hurdle in the hands of Robbie Power.
Dessie Hughes's 11-2 shot Hurler And Farmer was just touched off at the track last month and looked booked for second again as he jumped the final flight in the Cahore Point Handicap Hurdle behind The Conker Club but he found plenty for Mark Enright and got up to win by half a length.