Eventual winners Gareth Malone and Jack The Hat (red) line up at the start© Photo Healy Racing
Jack The Hat ran out a convincing winner of the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Hurdle on his return to action at Wexford.
Noel Lawlor 's charge was making his first start since running at Limerick last Christmas but showed no signs of ring rust.
Gareth Malone sent the 14/1 shot on from long-time leader The Rattler obrien on the bend before the straight.
The Dr Massini gelding stayed on strongly from the last to post a five-and-a-half length winning margin over 20/1 shot Maduma
It was an improved performance from the winner, whose previous best had been fourth in handicap company at Clonmel last December.
6/4 favourite Raise The Goblet failed to get involved, finishing back in fifth.
20-year-old Malone was recording his first success and the Kildare lad revealed afterwards how he had started off with local trainer Arthur Moore:-
"I started painting the railings with Arthur Moore when I was 11 and worked my way up from there - eventually taking out a conditional licence."
It was also a first winner for owner Margaret Doyle, from Tullow in Co. Carlow and trainer Lawlor said afterwards:-
"It's a first for everybody as that's my first winner at Wexford!
"He'll go for something similar and we'll see how the handicapper treats him."
Malone came in for the ride after intended jockey Harley Dunne received a kick when breaking a horse this morning and suffered a broken nose.
(On course reporting by Alan Magee)
