Wexford opens new facility

Wexford unveiled a new bar and restaurant with adjoining viewing area at yesterday evening's meeting. Costing just under £300,000, the new facility was officially opened by Ivan Yates, TD, who expressed the wish that, to cap the advanced development programme at the southern venue, a listed or pattern race should take place there in the not too distant future.

IHA member and Leopardstown chairman, Pierce Molony, who had spoken earlier at the pre-race reception, had his colours carried to victory by You Make Me Laugh, which edged clear rounding the home turn to comfortably land the West Coast Cooler Maiden Hurdle in the hands of Tom Rudd.

Rudd was back in the winner's enclosure later in the evening when he greeted Blue Jumbo, trained by his boss Michael O'Brien, to the winner's berth after the Bluebird mare stayed on stoutly for Eddie Ahern to head Load And Lock well inside the final furlong.

"Depending how she comes out of this race she will run over hurdles at Galway next Tuesday," said Rudd, representing the winning handler who was not present.