Kish Bank wins Wexford's opener Gigginstown House Stud’s Kish Bank (6/4f) was the wide-margin winner of Wexford’s opening Connolly's Red Mills Irish EBF Auction Maiden Hurdle today, scoring for trainer Gordon Elliott and 5lb claimer James Smith. Smith, who won last weekend’s Ulster National on Dunboyne, today had Kish Bank racing prominently with the pair going clear entering the home straight, before scoring by 23 lengths from Watchful Protector. A gamble on Fortunate Lighting (11/2 - 2/1) came unstuck as the Charles Byrnes-trained runner was hampered by the fall of joint-leader Mister Frostie at the fourth-last, before fading to finish fifth. Elliott’s assistant Ian 'Busty' Amond reported “he probably wasn't doing a whole pile when left on his own at the fourth last. He is a fine big horse, has plenty of experience and put it to good use today. James bounced him out in front and kept it simple. “He is a big horse who probably wouldn't like the ground too quick." Quotes from Donal Murphy
