The Bottom Line
- Nadia’s Boy (15:25) – 5/6 – the Willie Mullins banker on the card, stepping up in trip for the beginners chase under Paul Townend.
- Ocean Murphy (14:50) – 5/2 – course-and-distance winner just 16 days ago and open to more progress despite a 6lb rise.
- Rockonliam (16:35) – 7/4 – impressive maiden chase winner here whose opening handicap mark of 118 could prove lenient.
- Leave In Secret (16:00) – 13/8 – ran a cracker when third at Galway 11 days ago and races off the same mark.
Meeting Context
Wexford stages a seven-race jumps card this Saturday evening-into-afternoon slot, running from 2.15pm to 5.35pm, and the ground is a summer jumper’s dream: officially good, good to yielding in places, with sunny spells and no rain forecast.
The right-handed track at Bettyville is sharp and undulating, and front-runners who jump fluently are always dangerous here. With four chases, two hurdles and a bumper on the card, it is a proper mixed National Hunt fixture.
It is a busy Saturday across both islands. The other half of the Irish action comes at Kilbeggan this evening, while the terrestrial cameras are at the Shergar Cup – see our Ascot preview and the full ITV Racing schedule – with Group action at Haydock too.
Odds quoted are correct at the time of writing and subject to change.
14:15 Wexford Fillies Maiden Hurdle (2m 190y)
| No | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Tell The Boys | Kevin Sexton | — | Fav |
| 6 | Felicity Smoak | Alan O’Sullivan | — | — |
| 1 | Banner Beauty | Kieren Buckley | — | — |
| 9 | Shakita | Danny Mullins | — | — |
| 10 | Sonas | Dylan Whelan | Henry de Bromhead | 16/1 |
| 4 | Baby Pearl | Darragh O’Keeffe | — | — |
| 2 | Casheldale Lass | Conor Smithers | — | — |
| 7 | Kingside Lady | Alex Harvey | — | — |
Plus four others in a field of 12 four-year-old fillies.
The Favourites: Tell The Boys won her bumper at Listowel and that flat-track speed should count for plenty on this sharp circuit now she goes hurdling. Felicity Smoak brings the best hurdles form of these.
The Value: Henry de Bromhead’s newcomer Sonas is a half-sister to the smart Skyace and 16/1 looks a big price for that pedigree in a modest maiden.
The Verdict: Tell The Boys to make a winning start over flights, with Sonas the each-way play.
14:50 Shamrock Farm Enterprises Handicap Hurdle (2m 4f 50y)
| No | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Ocean Murphy | Darragh O’Keeffe | Philip Rothwell | 5/2 |
| 5 | Marian Avenue | Philip Byrnes | — | 3/1 |
| 3 | Morell River | Ricky Doyle | — | — |
| 1 | It’s Bobsled Time | Mr D L Queally | — | — |
| 2 | Camino Rock | Josh Williamson | — | — |
| 4 | Harpy Eagle | Paddy Cody | — | — |
| 7 | Isdistheone | Kevin Healy | — | — |
The Favourites: Ocean Murphy showed improved form to get off the mark over this exact course and distance 16 days ago, and although the handicapper has put him up 6lb, he still races here effectively 5lb well in.
The Value: Marian Avenue heads the dangers at 3/1, while Morell River makes each-way appeal in a race with only seven declared.
The Verdict: Ocean Murphy to follow up for the in-form Philip Rothwell yard.
15:25 Wexford Racecourse Park Run Beginners Chase (2m 3f 20y)
| No | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Nadia’s Boy | Paul Townend | Willie Mullins | 5/6 |
| 6 | William Tell | Peter Smithers | — | 10/3 |
| 7 | Kelya | Donagh Meyler | — | — |
| 1 | Begger | Ben Harvey | — | — |
| 2 | Jackson Lamb | Alex Harvey | — | — |
| 4 | Scalpnagoon | Josh Williamson | — | — |
| 5 | West Away | Patrick M O’Brien | — | — |
The Favourites: This looks the banker of the card. Nadia’s Boy showed up well for a long way on his chasing bow over two miles here in June, and this step up in trip for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend looks exactly what he wants. Natural second-run improvement should see him take all the beating.
The Value: William Tell at 10/3 is the obvious alternative if the favourite’s jumping lets him down, with the mare Kelya next best.
The Verdict: Nadia’s Boy, confidently. The Mullins-Townend axis needs no introduction at these summer Sunday-style meetings.
16:00 wexfordraces.ie Handicap Chase (2m 3f 20y)
| No | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leave In Secret | James Smith | — | 13/8 |
| 6 | Oneforgonzo | Anna McGuinness | — | — |
| 3 | Beggars Rock | Kevin Sexton | — | — |
| 2 | Freddie Robdal | Danny Power | — | — |
| 4 | Tequila Talkin’ | Carl Millar | — | — |
| 5 | Centreofattention | Aidan Kelly | — | — |
| 7 | Temptationinmilan | Ricky Doyle | — | — |
| 8 | Following Orders | Ross Sugrue | — | — |
| 9 | Avec Espoir | Calum Hogan | — | — |
The Favourites: Leave In Secret ran well when third in a far more competitive handicap at the Galway Festival 11 days ago and turns out quickly off the same mark. That form sets the standard by some way in this nine-runner affair.
The Value: Oneforgonzo and Beggars Rock look the pair most likely to capitalise on any underperformance from the market leader.
The Verdict: Leave In Secret to confirm the Galway promise.
16:35 Poolcourt Engineering Handicap Chase (3m 1f)
| No | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Rockonliam | Darragh O’Keeffe | — | 7/4 |
| 5 | Teenage Kiss | Charlie O’Dwyer | — | — |
| 4 | Rue Taylor | Eoin Staples | — | — |
| 3 | Jacovec Cavern | Richard Condon | — | — |
| 1 | Sphagnum | Mr J P Sampson | — | — |
| 6 | Ceroc | Phillip Enright | — | — |
| 7 | Duty Bound | Donagh Meyler | — | — |
The Favourites: Rockonliam has won twice this year, including a four-length-plus maiden chase success at this track when his jumping was sound throughout. An opening mark of 118 over fences might well prove lenient, and the significant step up to 3m 1f should suit a relentless galloper.
The Value: Teenage Kiss and the French-bred Rue Taylor are next on the list, with staying handicaps here often going to those who simply keep jumping.
The Verdict: Rockonliam looks well treated and gets the vote.
17:05 BoyleSports Handicap Chase (1m 7f 120y)
| No | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Rightfolksplease | Kevin Healy | — | 5/2 |
| 4 | Lady Doyanne | Darragh O’Keeffe | Henry de Bromhead | 3/1 |
| 2 | Bynx | Sam Ewing | — | — |
| 1 | Solsbury Hill | Charlie O’Dwyer | — | — |
| 3 | Ned In The Park | Mr D Doyle | — | — |
| 5 | Kilbrin Rocco | Gary Noonan | — | — |
| 6 | Ballybrittas | Ross Sugrue | — | — |
The Favourites: Rightfolksplease looked as good as ever for his new yard when runner-up over hurdles at this course last time, and a return to fences over this sharp two miles gives him every chance.
The Value: Lady Doyanne is the interesting one at 3/1. She has been placed on both starts over fences, is clearly improving, and Henry de Bromhead has won two of the last five runnings of this. Ballybrittas can hit the frame.
The Verdict: Marginal call, but Lady Doyanne gets the nod on the trainer angle and upward curve.
17:35 Racing Again 28th August Fillies Flat Race (2m)
| No | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Honey Bucks | Mr J L Gleeson | — | 11/8 |
| 1 | Alicious | Mr P W Mullins | Willie Mullins | — |
| 3 | Hee Hiles | Mr L P Shanahan | — | — |
| 2 | Dancing Symbol | Mr A P Ryan | — | — |
| 4 | Highland Call | Mr D Doyle | — | — |
| 6 | La Muleta | Mr J Dunne | — | — |
| 7 | Misses Woo | Mr J W Hendrick | — | — |
| 8 | Prometteuse | Mr L M Kelleher | — | — |
Plus two others in a field of 10 four-year-old fillies.
The Favourites: The concluding bumper is a fascinating heat. Honey Bucks made a highly promising debut when narrowly touched off at Cork, and any normal improvement makes her the one to beat at 11/8.
The Value: Alicious is the great unknown. The newcomer hails from the Willie Mullins yard, whose record in bumpers is without peer, and champion amateur Patrick Mullins takes the ride – that combination is never to be dismissed with a debutante.
The Verdict: Experience edges it: Honey Bucks, with Alicious the danger and the one for the notebook either way.
Accumulator
Our four-leg Wexford acca: Ocean Murphy (14:50, 5/2) – Nadia’s Boy (15:25, 5/6) – Leave In Secret (16:00, 13/8) – Rockonliam (16:35, 7/4). At current prices the four-fold pays around 45/1 – a tidy return anchored by the Mullins banker.
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