Sam Ewing enjoys a Welsh weekend to remember as Effernock Fizz sparkles

Sunday, Ffos Las

Sam Ewing capped a memorable weekend in Wales with an expertly judged front-running ride on Effernock Fizz to give the Irish victory in the DragonBet Welsh Champion Hurdle.

Riding a seemingly exposed mare who had raced nearly as many times as the rest of the field combined, Ewing got his fractions spot on to score by two lengths on a seven-year-old having her 70th start.

The jockey, who rode Grand National legend Tiger Roll in a Flat maiden two years ago, had left his mark on Chepstow the day before when winning on Peregrine Run. He also had a winner at Dundalk on Friday night.

Effernock Fizz provided jockey-turned-trainer Cian Collins, who is based in Navan, with a notable success with his first runner in Britain.

Collins is in his first year with a licence and Effernock Fizz had already given him his first victory when scoring at Killarney in August.

Despite racing from 5lb out of the handicap, she capitalised on her race-fitness advantage after a good second to Jesse Evans in a Grade 3 at Tipperary last weekend, when she had finished in front of smart pair Abacadabras and Jason The Militant.

Milkwood had looked a big danger in behind the leader approaching the final hurdle, but Effernock Fizz kept finding more and showed great determination on the run-in.

"It's brilliant to get it," Ewing told Sky Sports Racing. "She loves her racing, it was a great run last week and it's good to go one better today.

"She picked up well from the third-last to the second-last and really stayed on well to the line. If they're all like this, I'd love to come back."

Drama at the last

Despereaux ran out at the final flight when still in contention to hand victory to Tintintin in a dramatic finish to the 2m junior hurdle.

The Fergal O'Brien-trained winner looked to be getting on top under Paddy Brennan as his rival jinked right and out of the race, unseating amateur jockey Peter Summers, who was quickly to his feet.

Brennan broke in Tintintin at home and described the 9-4 shot and runner-up Zoeman as "two nice horses".

In the money

Ho Que Oui, who was backed into 3-1 from a morning high of 15-2, landed a gamble with an easy win under Philip Armson in the 2m5f mares' handicap chase for conditional jockeys.

The five-year-old had shown very little in three starts for trainer Alex Dunn. When quizzed by the stewards about the apparent improved form, the stable's representative could offer no explanation other than the yard's good form.

Home win

The race named after Wales's Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Norton's Coin stayed at home when Straw Fan Jack ran his rivals ragged for local trainer Sheila Lewis.

The Graham Wilson-owned grey made a sure-footed first start over fences in the 2m novice limited handicap chase to register his first win for nearly two years.

Results, replays and analysis

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