Corbally Cross credits Con McSweeney with first success under Rules Trainer Con McSweeney sent out his first winner under Rules, as Corbally Cross stayed on strongly under Richie Condon to take Division l of the Irish Injured Jockeys Fund Handicap Hurdle at Wexford. A former point-to-point winner, the gelding had finished in, or around mid division, on his three runs in maiden hurdles prior to this handicap debut. Well supported from 9/1 into 9/2, the son of Malinas was always to the fore here, before taking over in front after three out. Pushed along to assert between the final two flights, Corbally Cross was strongly pressed by 3/1f Technology after the last but with the aid of the far rail, kept on well for a two-and-a-half length victory. Con McSweeney said: “I’ve had plenty of winners in point-to-points but that’s my first winner under Rules. We only have a handful of horses. “That’s his first run in a handicap and we’re delighted. “He got a bad injury about a year ago and all the vets told us to put him down, but I held onto him. His first run back he won a point-to-point and now he’s after winning on the track. “There is a great group of owners, Joe O’Sullivan and PJ Murphy and my wife Niamh. I’m a Corkman from just outside Cork City.” Additional reporting by Alan Magee.
