Enniscorthy trainer Paul Nolan was no where to be seen at Bettyville Park today but his runners spoke loudly for his talent as a trainer as two of his charges put him on a winning double, much to the delight of the local supporters.
Kevin Brogan, (18), recorded his first win as a conditional, guiding Fine Theatre (16/1) to victory in the Micheal O’Murchadha Memorial Handicap Hurdle.
Prominent throughout, the nine-year-old gelding hit the front with just over a circuit to race, and soon went clear.
He was pushed along and headed before two out, but battled back tenaciously from the last, staying on best to prevail by three parts of a length.
Jockey Brogan, from Kill, Co. Kildare said afterwards: “That’s my first winner as a conditional, I had one before as an amateur.”
Crazyheart, (3/1),could afford to ease down in the closing stages to run out An easy winner of the Barry Ennis Memorial Novice Handicap Chase at Wexford, giving trainer Paul Nolan a double on the card.
Like Nolan’s earlier winner Fine Theatre, Crazyheart carried the colours of Kay Browne, Waterford, who owns the gelding in partnership with Anne Coffey.

Jockey KEVIN BROGAN, (18), speaking with his owners after his first victory as a conditional rider at Bettyville Park today. (Pic; WexfordToday.com).

Mark Walsh, fresh from winning the Champion Hurdle on Espoir D’Allen at Cheltenham, had three and a quarter lengths to the good on Crazyheart.
“He was happy out in front, he was pricking his ears and winging fences,” said Walsh afterwards and he added; “I’d said this type of track and races of this grade would be ideal for him.”
Racing got off to the perfect start with Christopher Robin (5/2 jt.fav) getting home in a tight finish for trainer Joseph O’Brien and jockey Shane Shortall in the maiden hurdle. Liz Doyle’s Cobaltic (Adam Short) filed the runner-up spot.
An Faraoch Mor (13/8 fav.) kept the punters sweet in the second maiden hurdle and a one and three-quarter lengths success for the Ross O’Sullivan and Cathal Landers team.
Niccolai (6/1) gave an exhibition of front running tactics in the novice handicap hurdle and was still ahead by five lengths on the finish line much to the satisfaction of Henry de Bromhead, Daniel Holden and the enthusiastic Shouster family who own the mare.
The Arctic Tack Stud Veterans Chase went to the Eoghan O’Grady trained Westerner Point (5/1) for the Thade Quill Syndicate whose spokesperson said afterwards; “This is the third time we have won at Wexford on St. Patrick’s Day!”
Borris jockey Richie Deegan had a winner at the Ballyraggett point-to-point earlier in the day, but arrived at Wexford in time to partner Fire Away (10/1) for Ger Hourigan in the bumper and they enjoyed success by three-quarters of a length.
There was a fine attendance and the day was fine and dry, but a bit cold, and nobody managed to win the jackpot pool of €439.77.
The day’s Tote aggregate was €131,979 compared with €110,822 last year.
The next fixture at Bettyville Park is the first ‘evening meeting’ of the year and it takes place on Friday, April 5th.