Essex makes spectacular return to action

THE Michael O’Brien-trained Essex, absent since Killarney in May, made a spectacular return to action when landing the Sherry Fitzgerald Hurdle in fine style at Fairyhouse yesterday.

Assistant, Denis Cullen, represented O’Brien and explained the seven-year-old’s absence. “He chipped a bone in his knee and also fractured a splint bone”, said Cullen. “He has been back since the middle of January.”

Andrew Lynch produced Essex to take over from Sweet Kiln turning for home and the Sadler’s Wells gelding kept going really well to score by three lengths.