By Dan Walsh at Wexford Racecourse
Today’s race meeting at Wexford attracted a good attendance but the weather deteriorated as the seven-race card unfolded and there were no local winners. But it was a celebratory occasion for jockey Darragh O’Keeffe who recorded a treble and three favourites obliged.
Tomorrow’s Monday Bank Holiday fixture has a 1.10pm start and is the final meeting of the season at Bettyville Park. Today’s ground conditions were yielding at the beginning but changed to ‘yielding to soft’ after the fourth race and is likely to remain that way while the weather forecast is for ‘dry conditions’
The Listed Michael Hickey Memorial Chase is Wexford’s richest race and has been attracting some top-class runners like in 2022 when Emmet Mullins saddled Aintree Grand National winner Noble Yeats to a memorable victory.
Tomorrow’s renewal has prompted Emmet Mullins to saddle Corbetts Cross, a seven-year-old top-class novice chaser last season who went on to score by 17 lengths under David O’Connor in the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.
Wexford jockey Jordan Gainford was in action at his local track this afternoon, didn’t ride a winner, but had plenty to reflect on after a victory and runner-up at Cheltenham on Saturday.
Gainford had a hurdle success on The Wallpack (9/2 fav.) for Gordon Elliott and filled in the runner-up spot on The Short Go for Henry de Bromhead behind Mallow jockey Darragh O’Keeffe on Senior Chief (11/1). O’Keffee kicked a treble success at Wexford this afternoon.
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