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Arnacoeur puts it all together in Wexford

Arnacoeur, far side, tastes victory for the first timeArnacoeur, far side, tastes victory for the first time
© Healy Racing Photos

A good jump at the last enabled Arnacoeur to get away on the run-in of the Discover Wexford Handicap Hurdle.

Charlie O'Dwyer 's mount moved best as he loomed behind the leaders on the home bend.

He got on terms two out and picked it up before the last. He popped it and was soon two lengths clear before O'Dwyer drove him in by a slightly-reduced advantage of a length and a-half at 7/1.

The places were occupied by Captain Kate (5/1) and Ashdale Flyer (11/2) in second and third respectively.

This was another horse enjoying a breakthrough success on the card.

Conor O'Dwyer said: "He ran a cracker in Naas two runs ago and then he had a shocking run in Kilbeggan the last day, I've no idea why. He is a funny horse and has to do everything his own way.

"On his Naas run he was entitled to do that really. That was a race up to 110 and it was a better race than today.

"He stays well and has to be ridden that way. With the small field today, he didn't have to pass too many. He had loads to pass in Naas and he just couldn't get by them all.

"He'll keep going all summer and there should be another one or two in him if he gets smaller fields and learns to relax a bit. He is a funny one.

"He had his first run for us at Leopardstown and got an injury and was off for a long time. Davy Fitzgerald had him before me and he was placed in a few maidens for Davy, so he always showed ability."

Additional reporting by Donal Murphy

About Michael Graham
Michael has worked in horse racing journalism for more than 15 years, having also written a weekly betting column on Gaelic football and hurling for a newspaper. He is involved in writing the My Racing Story features on this website. He spent a year in South Africa completing a Diploma in Business Administration and also studied Newspaper Journalism in Belfast. He enjoys playing 5-a-side football on a regular basis.