Highland Earl gets up close home to land Wexford gamble Well supported prior to the race, the Liam Cusack trained Highland Earl landed a gamble when getting up close home to win Division l of the Clearwater Construction Handicap Hurdle at Wexford. Available at 14/1 early doors, the five-year-old was backed at all rates down to an eventual starting price of 4/1jf. Fifth over two-furlongs longer at Limerick last time. the gelding looked suited to dropping back in trip here. Prominent throughout under Brian Hayes, Highland Earl went third entering the home straight, as fellow market leader Prince Of Air kicked for home. The latter looked to have done enough when still holding a length lead jumping the last but Highland Earl dug deep on the short run-in to get up to win by a head. Liam Cusack: "It has been a while since I had a winner but they've been running well. I'm delighted with him now, he ran a lovely race in Limerick and wasn't beaten that far. He did things a little bit wrong and was a little bit hard on himself. "We dropped him back a little bit in trip today and he relaxed and got into a lovely rhythm. Brian had him in a lovely position and he came forward nicely, so we're delighted with him. "It was a competitive race and these are hard won. I'm just delighted he got his head in front. We'll keep him in similar sorts of races and I wouldn't be afraid to go up a few furlongs in trip. He is coming forward and might even come forward a little bit again. "John (Murray, owner) is a good supporter of mine and I'm delighted to have a winner for him. He is a Shinrone man, but is based in Boston and has businesses there. He is putting a good bit into the game and it's very important to get winners for him." Additional reporting by Donal Murphy.
