Visibility was poor for the opening race of the day – the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle – but the locals were happy to see the Paul Nolan trained Dia Del Sol, (8/1), emerge out of the mist to take the spoils by a length and a quarter under Evan Daly, who is associated with the Joseph O’Brien stables at Carrick-on-Suir.

PAUL NOLAN. A winner at Wexford today.

Owned by Philip Byrne of Athlone, who owns ‘Sean’s Bar’ the oldest pub in the country, Dia Del Sol got a lovely run during the race and avoided all the trouble in a race overshadowed by a number of fallers.
Shanklys Dawn, (9/1), trained at Tinahely by Philip Rothwell, made it from the reserves to get a run in the Dan Byrne Memorial Handicap Chase, and with Conor Maxwell up, made all to win by two and a half lengths.
“She is a low grade handicapper and won a chase at Downpatrick earlier on in the year,” said Philip who added: “I kept saying to Jim (owner James Guilfoyle from Moneygall, Co. Tipperary) that she was a bit unlucky once or twice, and that she might win another one, keep at her’. He has kept going with her and it’s great that she got in and won.”
Trainer Rothwell confirmed she will go for a low grade chase at Tramore in few weeks’ time. “She’ll stay in those low grade chases and hopefully she’ll win another one somewhere.”
A few Wexford winners are likely to turn out again next week at the Listowel festival of racing, including Val O’Brien’s Galway-based Trenchtown Rock, (20/1), who won the Garry Flood Landscaping Handicap Hurdle by three lengths for jockey Ryan Treacy.
Dublin trainer Oliver McKiernan confirmed that Cappacon, (5/1), winner of division one of the Menapia Motors Renault Opportunity Handicap Hurdle will be aimed at a handicap hurdle at Listowel next weekend. “I am delighted. The good ground helped him today,” he said after winning in the hands of Barry Browne.
Whoyacodding, trained by Garrett Ahern, will be heading to Listowel next Saturday after his victory in the second division of the Menapia Motors Renault Opportunity Handicap Hurdle for owner Marie Gubbins of Bartlemy, Co. Cork, and jockey Shane Shortall.
There was great excitement when Biddy The Boss (2/1 fav.) came home by two and a half lengths for the 13-member Waterford based Kilbriens Syndicate, trained by Gavin Cromwell and ridden by Ger Fox.
Arcenfete, (7/4 fav.) won the Audrey McGrath Memorial Novice Chase for Gigginstown House, Henry de Bromhead and Brian Hayes, while Just A Normal Day (7/2) was a winner for Danny Howard and Adam Short in the handicap chase.
One lucky punter managed to strike the jackpot alone and leave 103.70 euro the richer.
The Tote return was 50,638 euro (eight races) compared with 173,949 euro (seven races) last year.
Two more days racing to go in 2018 at Bettyville Park on the October Bank Holiday weekend; Sunday and Monday, 28-29th.