Murphy and Stone-Walsh strike Gold at Wexford Wexford punters enjoyed a local success as Colm Murphy and Conor Stone-Walsh teamed up to win the Thomas Donovan Construction Maiden Hurdle with market leader Stay Gold. Sent off 1/1f, the six-year-old tracked the leaders before before closer to the pace on the final circuit. The Paul Nolan trained Coumeenoole led for much of the contest but was strongly pressed by Stay Gold approaching the second last. Stay Gold looked to hjave matters in hand when taking over at the final flight. However, Darragh O;Keeffe got a renewed effort out of Coumeenoole, who rallied well on the run-in. At the line, only a neck separated the pair, with Stay Gold just doing enough to land the odds. Jockey Conor Stone-Walsh was recording a quick double, having landed the previous race. Colm Murphy said: "He was entitled to do that after the last day and on ratings, he just done what he was supposed to do. I'm not sure where we'll go now because he is pretty exposed, wherever there is three miles plus. Galway could be on the agenda as Paul (McKeon, owner) likes to have runners there. It'll be either there or he might go elsewhere. "He has always been consistent and has always run a nice race. I'm not sure how far he can go in the handicap. "I'd say he wasn't doing a stroke in front. He is a lairy fella and I'd say he only does what he has to do." Additional reporting by Donal Murphy.
