Beautiful Ben poised to gain an overdue success

Two Friday evening meetings, with 16 races in less than four hours, and yet so little appeal as a punting proposition.

The nap goes to Beautiful Ben, in the opening handicap hurdle at Wexford. Denis Hogan’s horse was well-backed for a similar event at Roscommon last time and, but for his rider losing his iron and all but falling off the horse at the last, he would surely have won. In the circumstances, Davy Russell, who is back on board, performed miracles not only to keep the partnership intact, but also to get his mount up into second place.

The handicapper has reacted by raising him two pounds, but that shouldn’t be enough to prevent him earning an overdue victory.