THE first of four Friday fixtures at Wexford this year was dominated by Gordon Elliott, with the Cullentra handler registering a near 112/1 treble.

Already successful in a point-to-point and a bumper, Kish Bank (6/4 favourite) added a win over flights to his name when taking the Connolly’s Red Mills Irish EBF Auction Maiden Hurdle.

An imposing son of Mount Nelson, the Gigginstown House Stud-owned six-year-old raced in a share of the lead with Mister Frostie.

Left with an outright advantage when that rival crashed out at the fourth last, the James Smith-ridden victor kicked clear before two out and sauntered to a 23-length win.

There was, however, a sting in the tail for Smith, as he picked up a four-day ban for ‘unnecessary use of the whip when the race is clearly won’.

“He is a fine, big horse. He has plenty of experience and just put it to good use today,” Ian Amond, representing Elliott, said.

Following up

Elliott quickly followed up with well-supported debutant Cooke’s Lass (15/2 to 7/2) in the Tomcoole Farm Ltd. Mares Maiden Hurdle.

Initiating a brace for Jordan Gainford, the €70,000 Tattersalls Derby Sale purchase received reminders after just the fourth flight and was ridden in ninth from three out.

Making good headway on the outer, the Authorized five-year-old challenged in second before the penultimate flight and ultimately outstayed Clody Diamond on the run-in, with two and a half lengths between them at the line.

“She was very green and done well to win as she was being pushed along from an early stage,” Amond reflected. “She is owned by Kevin Cooke of Cooke’s Pub in Caragh near Naas.”

Lightkeeper (9/1 from 7/2 early) rounded off a fruitful evening for Elliott and Gainford, as he easily accounted for nine rivals in the Bolands Remembers Mary Novice Handicap Chase.

Success

Following up on his St Patrick’s Day success at Down Royal, the Barstool Prophets Syndicate-owned seven-year-old raced mainly in second, as Letos went on from early.

Closing on the leader after three out and getting to the front before the next, the 123-rated bay skipped clear approaching the last and ultimately posted an eight-length win.

“It’s been a good day at the office,” Amond enthused.

“He is after getting a new lease of life lately and Jordan didn’t panic with the one going off in front. He said his biggest threat going to the second last was the loose horse.”

THE oldest runner in the line-up, Rebel Gold (7/2 favourite) led home eight rivals in the feature Ambrex Switchgear Veterans Handicap Chase.

Defying top weight under Alex Harvey, the 12-year-old, who is owned by Richard Kennedy, Michael O’Dowd, Tom Stanley and Ann Nolan, raced mainly in second and was pushed along to challenge before two out.

Jumping the last in a share of the lead, the Pat Foley-trained bay soon gained an advantage after the front-running Krabat blundered, and he kept on well to hold off the late effort of Dont Go Yet by a length and a quarter.

Consistent

“He has been very hard to place, the handicapper hasn’t relented with him because he is so consistent,” Foley remarked. “We might consider the Devenish Chase at Fairyhouse, they might get a small field for it.”

By contrast, the Wexford Racecourse Supporters Club Rated Novice Hurdle was won by Rue Taylor (10/1), the youngest runner taking part.

The Paul Nolan-trained five-year-old was given a canny ride by Sean Flanagan and while she appeared to be struggling in rear from three out, she got a dream run through on the inner approaching the straight and went second before the penultimate flight.

Not fluent over the last, the Anne Coffey and Susan Spence-owned bay soon got by Machismo with lengths to spare at the line.

“She was second in a maiden hurdle here in the autumn and subsequently got that race after the winner was disqualified,” assistant trainer James Nolan explained.

“We ran her in a couple of the wrong races after that and I thought today’s race would suit her, even though she was a couple of pounds wrong in the ratings.”

THERE was further local success in the concluding Racing Again 17th May Handicap Chase, with On The Tide (14/1) striking for Bridgetown handler Seamus Neville.

Making the breakthrough on his 23rd career start, the Beat Hollow seven-year-old was given a patient ride by Philip Donovan. Improving on the outside from the third last, the 93-rated bay led over the next and stumbled on landing.

Ridden approaching the final fence, he kept on well in the closing stages to hold off the renewed effort of Malton Groove by half a length.

“He has had lots of teething problems and I thought he might prefer nicer ground,” Neville, who trains the winner for his wife Ina, commented.

“He is better over fences than hurdles and we’ll stick with fences now.”

A dual Grade 2 winner over flights, Aspire Tower just got the better of Westport Cove in the Visit Wexford Beginners Chase. The pair dominated from flag fall in this two-mile heat, with the runner-up attempting to make all under Sean O’Keeffe.

Ridden after a mistake two out, the front runner again blundered at the last, with the Mike O’Connor-ridden victor capitalising to lead on the run-in, prevailing by just a neck at the line.

The Henry de Bromhead-trained victor returned an easy-to-back 4/1 chance and was opening his account over fences at the fourth time of asking.

“We went a good even gallop the whole way and his jumping was good. He put his head down and battled all the way to the line,” O’Connor said of the Robcour-owned bay.

“The second horse was probably a tad unlucky at the last, but I felt that I always had the measure of him anyway.”