Beacon Edge lands the odds after leader unseats Beacon Edge was left clear at the last to scoop the first prize in the Wexford Claiming Hurdle over two miles one furlong. Those who backed the class act in the race (with a rating of 142) at 1/3 would have been more than uneasy as he was pushed along in second by Josh Halford before two out behind strong-travelling Redwood Queen. The leader, who was a drifter in the market, still appeared to have plenty in the tank jumping the last, however, she unshipped Philip Byrnes there and Beacon Edge, who didn't look to be making inroads into the deficit, was left well clear to come in by 22 lengths from Must Meet Cecil (11/2). Gordon Elliott said: "We knew the trip was too short and he was flat out the whole way. Looking at it live, I thought the horse in front probably had it won, but Josh said he wasn't stopping and was galloping and it's a good run from the last to the line here. We got a bit of luck on our side and that's the most important thing. "Josh is a good lad and we'll be using him a lot next year. He's after spending a year with us and is after getting loads of experience. He's a good lad and is going to ride a lot of winners going forward. "If he gets claimed, he gets claimed. If not, he's in the sales tomorrow. He has done his job, he is 142 and is hard to place. "In fairness, he stays galloping and he was only beaten by around six lengths at Cheltenham. Around here was probably too sharp for him, but it's job done." Beacon Edge was seventh in last season's Coral Cup at the Cheltenham Festival. Redwood Queen was claimed by Cian Collins, while Jimmy Barcoe claimed Single Edition. Additional reporting by Donal Murphy
