LOW lying sun resulted in a run-in of over four furlongs for the second half of this programme, with the obstacles in the straight omitted.

While this benefitted some, it made little difference to Gorgeous Tom, as he jumped well throughout when claiming the feature Dan & Breda Byrne Memorial Rated Novice Chase.

Completing a double for Henry de Bromhead, the classy hurdler came in for strong market support on what was his debut over regulation fences, going off the 4/5 favourite from 9/4 early.

In front for much of the journey under Darragh O’Keeffe, he was briefly joined from the last, but went on again approaching the straight, ultimately seeing off Monbeg Park by three lengths.

“I’m delighted for the O’Connor family (of owners Envirogreen Housing Services Ltd) and there is a Grade 3 novice over two miles and two furlongs at Punchestown in October that he might go for,” de Bromhead said.

Hat-trick

Completing a hat-trick, Chutzpal (1/2 favourite) provided de Bromhead with his initial success, as he made virtually all in the second division of the visitwexford.ie Handicap Hurdle.

Getting in as first reserve, the five-year-old carried a 7lb winners’ penalty after his facile victory at Bellewstown on Wednesday.

The claim of Ethan O’Sullivan negated that added burden, with the teenage conditional ultimately guiding his mount to a comfortable four-length win.   

“We took a bit of a punt bringing him back, but he is going to get a 16lb hike for Wednesday and he seemed in great form,” de Bromhead, who trains the Markaz gelding for Pimlico Racing Ireland and Robert Dooly, commented.

“We’ll give him a little break now and I’m delighted for Ethan, he gave him a great ride.”

Torrens gets up right on time

THE first division of the visitwexford.ie Handicap Hurdle, went the way of the Enda Bolger-trained four-year-old Inthenickoftime. Well-supported from 13/2 into 4/1, the J.P. McManus-owned homebred was one of six in contention approaching the last. Ridden by Simon Torrens, he ultimately stayed on best from there to beat Kate Ill Know and Johnny Clarke by half a length and a neck, with the latter blundering at the final flight.

Fortunate

World Of Fortunes (9/4 from 7/4) made it two from two at Bettyville, as she took the Brendan Cullimore Electrical Mares Maiden Hurdle on her debut over flights.

Not fluent at times under Jordan Gainford, the Liam Kenny-trained chestnut was eighth approaching the last, soon making progress to track the leaders.

Ridden to the front over a furlong out, the six-year-old soon stretched clear and came home four and a quarter lengths to the good in the colours of owner Michael Broderick.

“She was a little bit sticky jumping and it was a good thing it was three miles, as it gave her the time to warm into it,” James Kenny, son of the winning trainer, remarked.

Masterful

Another recording a second success at Wexford was Stormy Master, as he bounced back to form in the concluding Racing Again 27th October Handicap Chase.

Trained by Ray Hackett for his father Liam, the 22/1 chance raced towards rear under Liam Quinlan, making progress on the outer from the last.

The 10-year-old made further headway to challenge approaching the straight and got to the front over a furlong from home, keeping on well from there to beat Cafe Del Mar by a length and three-quarters.

“He is an older horse now and has his own way of doing things. We just said we’d keep going with him and that he’d fall into one someday and today was the day,” Quinlan disclosed.

ENJOYING a productive summer campaign, Mark Fahey registered his 12th winner since May, when Rampere West sprang a 20/1 surprise (drifted from 12s) in the Wexford Heritage Trails Handicap Hurdle.

The only four-year-old in the line-up, the handicap debutant was given a patient ride by Ricky Doyle, making gradual progress from five out.

Owned by Pegasus Racing Ltd, he made further headway on the outer approaching the straight and was ridden to the front before the final flight, keeping on well from there to win by three and three- quarters of a length.  

“He got an allowance for being the only four-year-old in the race, but he did surprise me. I didn’t think he would be as forward going and ready taking on older horses,” Fahey revealed.

Fine form

Struck By Churchill (8/1) took the opening Adare Manor Opportunity Maiden Hurdle for Andy Slattery, another dual-purpose trainer who has his string in fine form.

Sent off the even-money favourite, In The Trenches attempted to make all, but couldn’t hold off the Brendan O’Sullivan-owned victor on the run-in, with a length between them at the line.

“They think she was in season the last day (when a disappointing seventh). Her jumping probably let her down after she got a bit of a fright,” winning rider Cian Quirke divulged.

On Duty

Duty Bound registered his first win for current connections in the 14-runner Treo Eile Handicap Chase.

On what was his first try over fences, the John Flavin-trained 16/1 chance was settled behind the leaders by Conor Stone-Walsh, improving to the front with over two furlongs to go.

With no fences to be jumped in the straight, the Kingman five-year-old kept on well when ridden inside the final furlong, holding off all challengers to prevail by a length and a quarter.

“He had a few problems when we got him, but thankfully we’ve ironed them out,” Flavin explained.

“I’m delighted for his owners. I own a share in him along with Des O’Brien, John Bermingham and Johnny O’Neill.”