By Dan Walsh at Bettyville Park
The locals turned up the energy at Wexford races today with a treble for trainer Paul Nolan, a brace of winners for Ballywilliam owner, John Brennan, and ex-jockey turned Kildare-based trainer, Conor O’Dwyer, who was born just a stone’s throw from the racecourse, also getting his name on the results sheet.
Paul Nolan got off to a flying start in the Coast Hotels & Resorts Rated Hurdle when Bryan Cooper guided Monotype (2/1 fav) to a half length success.
Nolan rounded off the day with Chisholm Trail (2/1 fav) taking the mares’ bumper by 10 lengths in the hands of champion amateur rider, Patrick Mullins. Both horses ran in the yellow and purple quartered colours of John Brennan, who was thrilled to achieve a double on the card at his local track.
John Brennan told WexfordToday.com that Patrick Mullins rode his first ever winner on one of his horses (Diego Garcia, trained by Willie Mullins, at Limerick, on June 17th 2006) and over 500 victories later the Brennan and Mullins partnership triumphs again at Wexford.
Paul Nolan’s other winner was Castafiore Park, (8/1) for Philip Byrne in the Freddie Doyle Memorial and Liz Doyle Racing Handicap Hurdle by half a length with Bryan Cooper in the saddle and notching up a double.
Speaking afterwards, Paul Nolan said; “When it works out like today it’s grand. Hopefully, we’ll be able to keep our heads above water.”
Bryan Cooper recorded a treble having won on Andrew McNamara’s Flamingo’s Court (3/1) in the Coast Kilmore Quay Mares Maiden Hurdle.
Conor O’Dwyer is a Wexford town native and he was delighted when Ricky Doyle scored by a neck on Officers Mess (7/1) in the Coast Rosslare Strand Handicap Hurdle, holding off Lady Mangan, owned by Pat Doyle, Courtown.
Meath-born Robbie Power, both of his parents are Wexford-born, brought the mare, Fintara, (3/1), home in front by two and three-parts of a length for a popular success in the Building The Future Beginners Chase.
Fergiethelegend (7/1) completed the card with a victory for John Carr and jockey Cathal Landers by 11 lengths in the Bolands Mercedes-Benz Wexford Handicap Chase. Asitsohappens, with Jonathan Moore up, took the third spot here for Adamstown trainer, Moses McCabe.
The sun came out, the crowds came out too, and it was a very successful afternoon at Bettyville Park. The next meeting will take place on the evening of Wednesday, May 23rd.