PATS Choice certainly had luck on his side when taking the featured Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Chase at odds of 13/2 on this seven-race all chase afternoon card at Wexford.

The consistent Getaway gelding, trained by Gordon Elliott for Pat Sloan and adding to a maiden hurdle at Navan last year, was booked for another second placing until Good As Hell dived left when about six lengths clear at the last and unseated Evan Dwan.

“Obviously we had a bit of luck. He was hanging quite badly coming down the hill so I was at pains to keep him straight and going forward. In fairness to the horse, he was picking up after the second last and jumped very well,” said winning rider Michael O’Sullivan, who was following up a double at Kilbeggan the previous evening.

“They went quick early and he was a bit slow away. He’s a bit of a tricky customer but hopefully now that he has got his head in front, he’ll improve for it.”

Opportunities

Kieran Callaghan is another rider taking full advantage of opportunities at present and partnered his fourth winner in the space of a week as Tax For Max justified prohibitive odds on his chasing debut in the Fourth Mountain Trails Beginners Chase for Willie Mullins.

The 1/5 favourite, sporting the familiar ‘double green’ colours of Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, overcame a mistake at the second last and was ridden out to assert on the run-in for a four and a half lengths verdict over Walnut Beach.

“I took a lead over the first couple of fences and after that I was happy to let him roll away. He’s not the biggest in the world but has been jumping well at home and has done plenty of schooling,” said Callaghan who has another three winners left before losing his 7lb claim.

Callaghan and trainer Willie Mullins had to settle for second spot in the Wexford August 11th Ladies Day Novice Chase as Saldier proved no match for the Henry de Bromhead-trained Watch House Cross, who led soon after halfway and took command in the straight to beat that rival by 15 lengths.

“He did it well today and jumping is his forte so I thought there was no point in restraining him. He’s a forward-going horse and I felt it was best to let him enjoy himself,” said Mike O’Connor of the 10/11 favourite, who is owned in partnership by Sunday Racing and Ruairi Kelleher.

MARK McDonagh partnered his 36th career winner but a first for his grandfather and owner-trainer Michael as Battle Of Mirbat came out on top after a thrilling finish to the Support The Irish Injured Jockeys Fund Handicap Chase.

The 9/2 chance was one of five still in contention over the last and proved strongest on the run-in to beat Goodnightngodbless by half-a-length.

“He’s a gutsy horse and was suited by going left-handed again. If he’s keen and you get into a fight with him then he’ll want to go left but he got into a great rhythm today and was a pleasure to ride,” said the Cheltenham Festival winning claimer.

The conditions of the Welcome To Wexford Beginners Chase (for horses rated 116 or less over hurdles) were perfectly framed for Changing The Rules who confirmed the promise of a couple of placed efforts over fences this season.

Gelding

The Jessica Harrington-trained gelding was confidently ridden by Jody McGarvey, leading after the penultimate fence and soon drawing clear to beat Pearl Of The West by five and a half lengths.

Winning owner J.P. McManus’ racing manager Frank Berry said: “He has a bit of experience compared to some of them and jumped away well. He was entitled to win one of those and he’ll keep going while the ground is safe.”

CLAIRMC opened her account at the 16th attempt when landing the Visitwexford.ie Handicap Chase.

Trained by Gavin Cromwell for Peter McCarrick, the 11/1 chance drew clear on the run-in to beat fellow joint top-weight Wrong Direction by four lengths.

“Gavin and Keith (Donoghue) felt she didn’t quite see out the two miles and five furlongs in Tramore the last day so the plan was to bide our time,” said winning rider Ricky Doyle.

“She jumped a bit careful early on but they were going a gallop and she threw in some super jumps on the final circuit when I needed it.

“She’s in foal and we wanted to keep her as sweet as possible and ride her to come home. She might have another run or two.”

Shock win

Ray Hackett was the only winning trainer in attendance on the day and was also on lead up duty as Stormy Master recorded a 28/1 shock win in the Country Fest Wexford August 13th Opportunity Handicap Chase.

The nine-year-old was produced from off the pace to head the front-running Meehall after two out and kept on well under Jack Gilligan to score by two and a quarter lengths.

“His work at home is always good and hence the reason we were persevering,” said Toomevarra-based Hackett who trains the winner for his father Liam.

“Jack was just brilliant as he needs to be left alone. We gave away ground out wide just to give him space and he grabbed a hold of it today and raced for him.

“If he gets a fright early on it’s over but he jumped great and huge credit goes to Jack.”