By Dan Walsh at Wexford races
There wasn’t a lot of shamrock to be seen at today’s St. Patrick’s Day races at Bettyville Park, but there was a large crowd in cold, but dry conditions and the locals managed to share in many of the celebrations.
Fresh from Cheltenham Festival success last Thursday, Paul Nolan saddled a few runners at his local track and delighted his supporters when Small Doses (3/1) scored in the maiden hurdle and ridden by another hero from Cheltenham last week, Sean O’Keeffe.
Tinahely trainer Philip Rothwell saddled the winner of the novice handicap hurdle, Mercury Mission (12/1) ridden by Aidan Kelly. A neck was the winning margin.
Top trainer Gordon Elliott had a fantastic St. Patrick’s Day saddling six winners at two tracks – four at Down Royal and two at Wexford.
His first Wexford success came in the opening mares’ maiden hurdle where Speculatrix (11/4) was victorious under Caim jockey Jordan Gainford. Eliott’s double was completed in the bumper where Thefyingking (6/5 fav.), ridden by Harry Swan, held off Paul Nolan’s Thedeviluno (Conor Smithers) by half a length.
Pat Flynn from Carrick-on-Suir enjoyed a training double. He took the handicap hurdle with Duke Otto (22/1), ridden by Gary Noonan before Bite That (8/1) added the handicap chase ridden by Alex Harvey.
Rachael Blackmore and Henry de Bromhead teamed up with Majestic Force to win the beginner’s chase.
The next Wexford races take place on Friday, April 4th. Won’t be long coming around.
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