“IT was a joy to watch” were the words of Emmet Mullins after Noble Yeats (15/8) claimed the season feature at Wexford, the M.W. Hickey Memorial Chase.

The Grand National hero put in an exhibition of jumping as he added his name to the roll of honour for this listed prize, which was won by subsequent Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Minella Indo in 2020.

In a share of the lead for much of the race, he travelled best and went a few lengths clear entering the straight, keeping on well to prevail by four and three-quarter lengths under Sean Bowen.

Run Wild Fred (8/11 favourite) finished a well-beaten third and was found to be blowing hard post-race.

Bowen, who was partnering the Robert Waley-Cohen seven-year-old for the first time, said: “He is a lovely horse and I’m very grateful to get the ride. It’s nice to have my first winner in Ireland.”

Mullins added: “Everything went to plan and it all fell into place. It just didn’t happen for him in France. He made the mistake at the second and James (Reveley) sensibly decided to look after him and pulled him up. The horse was none the worse for it and he showed that today.

“I’d imagine it will be Aintree again, but there should be plenty of races for him between now and then.”

A GRADE 1 performer over flights, Impervious jumped with aplomb as she made the perfect start to her chasing career in the Michael Moore Motors Beginners Chase.

The sole mare in the line-up, the Colm Murphy-trained bay was sent to post the 13/8 favourite with Brian Hayes aboard.

She jumped to the front at the second last and soon had matters under control, coming home an eased down two-and-a-half-length victor for owner Paul McKeon.

“You are afraid of your life running them on that ground first time out, but she was good and I was delighted with the way she jumped,” Murphy revealed. “I will give her a month now and she will probably be heading for some of the nicer races.”

Imagine (10/11 favourite) is also likely to have some tough assignments ahead after he just prevailed in the opening Join Wexford Racing Club Maiden Hurdle.

Successful on his only previous start in a bumper at Punchestown, the Gordon Elliott-trained French-bred was since purchased by Caldwell Construction Ltd.

Sent to the front before two out, he was strongly pressed by Spillane’s Tower on the run-in and needed to be ridden out by Jack Kennedy to see off that rival by a head.

“He is a grand horse and is a big galloper. Jack said he probably wants further,” Elliott said. “We are happy with his performance, but he would probably like the ground a bit better.”

There was further joy for favourite backers in the Peter Nolan Bloodstock Maiden Hurdle, with Harry Des Ongrais coming home four lengths to the good. Sent off an even-money chance under Davy Russell, he improved into a share of the lead from three out and led shortly after the next.

Despite flicking through the last, he came home a comfortable winner in the colours of Kieran Byrne and Kenny and Laura Haughey.

“I’m delighted with that and Davy was brilliant on him. It’s our first National Hunt winner for Kenny and he is a good friend of Davy’s, so that’s why he was aboard,” winning trainer Henry de Bromhead divulged. “He is a chaser in the making.”

ONE Last Tango provided Eoin Griffin with his second winner in as many days, as he took the Kehoe Farming Rated Novice Hurdle. Having got off the mark over flights at Punchestown earlier in the month, the Ocovango gelding was well-fancied to follow-up and went off the 2/1 favourite under Mark Walsh.

Taking closer order from four out, the J.P. McManus-owned chesnut eased to the front early in the straight and stretched clear on the run-in, coming home four lengths clear of Rodney Bay.

“This is becoming my favourite track,” Griffin quipped. “It took a long time for the penny to drop with him over hurdles. He is improving the whole time and I’ll talk to Frank (Berry) about what we will do.”

Missiee (8/1), in the colours of John Costello, claimed the Thank You Val O’Connell From All At Wexford Racecourse Opportunity Handicap Hurdle, with Griffin’s Navigator Jack (9/4f) only fourth.

Recording a third career success, the Eoin McCarthy-trained six-year-old was given a patient ride by Gary Noonan, making good progress from three out.

In front before the next and soon ridden, her task was made all the easier when the challenging Our Bobby crashed out at the last.

Two and three-quarter lengths was the margin of victory, with Noonan saying in the aftermath: “She is not blessed with toe, but just finds this heavy ground easy and motors away through it.”

There was a sting in the tale for Noonan who was given an eight-day ban for whip offences, and he will also have to attend RACE for tuition on the correct use of the whip.

Returning after a layoff of almost two years, Good Land impressed in the concluding Thanks For Your Support In 2022 INH Flat Race. Owned and trained by Barry Connell, the Blue Bresil gelding came in for plenty of market support and went off a 7/4 joint-favourite (3s early).

Settled behind the leaders by Finian Maguire, he travelled strongly into the straight and was ridden to the front from the furlong pole, keeping on well to score by three and a quarter lengths.

“He injured his sesamoid on his first run when second at Fairyhouse,” Connell explained. “We were going to run him over hurdles, but we said we’d go for a bumper because his work was good. He is a classy horse and could be one for Leopardstown at Christmas.”