Search
Cheltenham 2024
- Main Site
- Cheltenham Home
- Cheltenham Cards
- Cheltenham Results
- Cheltenham Offers
- Cheltenham Odds
- Cheltenham Tips
- Cheltenham News
- Prestbury Cup
- Cheltenham Videos
-
Cheltenham Statistics
- Leading Trainer
- Leading Jockeys
- Leading Owners
- Previous Years
- Previous Appearances
- Breeding Profile of Winners
- Lady Jockeys at The Festival
- Leading Jockey Award Winners
- Most Successful Jockeys of All Time
- Current Jockeys Competing at Cheltenham
- Most Successful Jockey In..
- Leading Trainer Award Winners
- Most Successfull Trainer All Time
- Current Trainers Competing at Cheltenham
- Most Successful Trainer In..
- Cheltenham Trainer/Runner Index
- Desktop Site
Cheltenham 2024
- Home
- News
Michael Graham
Impressive Meala sheds her maiden tag
Meala strides clear in Ballybrit
© Photo Healy Racing
Meala was the most experienced horse in the fillies' maiden at Galway and she put that knowledge to good use with an impressive performance.
On her fourth start, Kevin Manning soon positioned her in third behind Sweet Molly Malone and Umneyaat
Manning asked her for more rounding the home turn and the 11/4 joint favourite readily swept around her rivals and moved clear entering the straight.
She powered away in the final furlong to rout the opposition by 11 lengths.
Umneyaat (4/1) took second by a head from the other 11/4 joint favourite Oh So Fine
"She's a filly that stays well and she travelled very well in behind. We went a nice even pace but when I moved her out and asked her to quicken she did it in a few strides. She was very impressive," said Kevin Manning.
"I would imagine so (go for the Group 2 Debutante Stakes). I was surprised she was still a maiden at this point.
"Great attitude and very switched off and has a nice turn of foot."
"The boss is very happy," added Una Manning.
"She'll get a mile and next year will be her year."
Meala has improved with each run - on debut she was fourth in Navan (behind Frenetic), then she finished third and second respectively on her next couple of starts in Leopardstown.
Additional reporting by Eamonn Murphy