Noble Yeats leads Run Wild Fred© Photo Healy Racing
"It was a joy to watch" were the words of Emmet Mullins after Grand National hero Noble Yeats claimed the season feature at Wexford, the Listed M.W. Hickey Memorial Chase.
Pulled up on his seasonal debut in France earlier this month, the Robert Waley-Cohen owned seven-year-old was sent off a 15/8 chance for this four-runner contest.
In a share of the lead for much of the race under Sean Bowen, he jumped with aplomb and held a definite advantage entering the straight.
Pushed along before the last, the bay gelding stretched clear on the run-in and came home four-and-three-parts of a length clear of Hurricane Georgie (11/2) and Sam Ewing in second.
.Run Wild Fred, who was sent off the 8/11 favourite, faded tamely in the straight and was all of 26-lengths back in third.
"It was a joy to watch and there wasn't too many anxious moments," Mullins commented.
"Everything went to plan and it all fell into place. It is testing out there but he handled it in the past. He won a bumper at Thurles on it and a maiden hurdle at Navan as well.
"One of his only bits of good ground form is in the National. He is a very versatile horse and was foot perfect today. I have no plan for him yet. Today was to get the show back on the road and we have plenty of options for him. He still seems to be going the right way.
"It just didn't happen for him in France. He made the mistake at the second and James (Reveley) sensibly decided to look after him and pulled him up. The horse was none the worse for it and he showed that today.
"I'd imagine it will be Aintree for him again but there should be plenty of races for him between now and then."
Sean Bowen, who was riding Noble Yeats for the first time, added: "I've not had many rides in Ireland but it's nice to get a winner here.
"I haven't actually spoke to Robert (Waley-Cohen), but I think my winners over the National fences swayed him towards me. I'm very grateful and he is a lovely horse to get the ride on.
"He is a horse that wouldn't impress you on the way around, he just does what he needs to do. Every time you ask him, he gives it to you."
Paddy Power cut Noble Yeats from 16/1 to 12/1 for the Grand National and gave him a first show of 25/1 for the Gold Cup at Cheltenham.
