Wate And Sea (inside) and Presenting Mahler jump the last together © Photo Healy Racing
The well-supported Wate And Sea bounced back to her best as she took the Murray Ambulance Service Mares Handicap Hurdle under Adrian Heskin.
The John Joe Walsh trained seven-year-old won two on the trot last season at Ballinrobe and Kilbeggan respectively.
She wasn't beaten far on her seasonal reappearance at Limerick in July but disappointed last time out at Cork when finishing well down the field.
Available at 12/1 last night (before the defection of Kris Kindle) the daughter of Definite Article touched 3/1 on-course before going off an 11/4 chance.
Settled behind the leaders she was fourth with a circuit to race. She improved into a closer third entering the straight and came with her challenge on the outer approaching three out.
She was ridden after the next and kept on best on the run-in to see off Presenting Mahler by two lengths.
The runner-up was returned the 9/4 favourite under Andrew Lynch for John Ryan. Nurse Ryan (7/1) finished a further three and three parts back in third under Shane Shortall for Muredach Kelly while The Absent Mare crashed out at the second last when still in with every chance.
John Joe Walsh said afterwards: "She should win another one. I thought the ground might have gone too soft for her as she really loves it on top.
"I'd say it was a poor enough race in my opinion."
STEWARDS REPORT
The Stewards requested a report from John J. Walsh, trainer, as to the apparent improvement in form of Wate And Sea, placed first, as compared with her previous run at Cork 3rd August. John J. Walsh reported that his charge disappointed at Cork but was of the opinion that the very soft underfoot conditions did not suit her whereas today she was racing on ground officially described as good and similar to the surface that she had previously won on at Ballinrobe and Kilbeggan. Having considered the evidence the Stewards noted the content of the report.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
