Montero off the mark over fences at first time of asking

TRAINER Dessie Hughes and Roger Loughran doubled up with Montero and The Rall in the divisions of the Crown Bar Beginners Chase at Wexford last night.

Montero, making his fencing debut, survived a last fence mistake to beat flattering favourite, Maucaillou, prompting Hughes to comment: “That was a good performance. He’s a great jumper for such a small horse. He over-jumped at the last but Roger said there was plenty in the tank.”

The Rall, helped by the experience gained recently at Kilbeggan, completed the double in the second division but had to work hard to get the better of Failte Go Deo by a half length.