By Dan Walsh
The annual Christmas racing festival kicked off today (St. Stephen’s Day) with three fixtures countrywide at Leopardstown, Limerick and Down Royal and the Wexford flag was flying successfully with doubles for jockeys Sean Flanagan and Sean O’Keeffe and one win each for jockey JJ Slevin, Philip Rothwell and Davidstown, Enniscorthy, trainer Paul Nolan.
Paul Nolan saddled the promising grey four-year-old Joyau De Thaix (7/1) to a one- and three-quarter lengths victory in the maiden hurdle at Limerick ridden by Sean Flanagan, Palace East, Clonroche.
Flanagan recorded a double on the Gavin Cromwell trained The King of Prs (10/3) by two and a half lengths in the novice chase.
Sean O’Keeffe, Harveystown, Taghmon, enjoyed a double, both from the Willie Mullins stables, newcomer Bunting (2/5 fav) by eight lengths in the maiden race for three-year-olds and Loughglynn (9/4 fav) by one length in the Grade 2 novice hurdle.
Philip Rothwell was also amongst the winners at Limerick. The Fairwood Stables, Tinahely, trainer saddled Phil’s Choice (9/1) with Sam Ewing up and the came home first in the handicap hurdle.
JJ Slevin, Kiltrea, Enniscorthy, turned up at Leopardstown and rode a televised race winner on Ataboycharles (17/2) for Meath trainer Edward Cawley.
WexfordLocal.com 