Moylussa battles back bravely to give Magnussen first winner

The Maike Magnussen trained Moylussa opened his account over flights when battling back bravely on the run-in to land the TipperaryRaces.ie Maiden Hurdle.

Sent off 2/1jf under Sean O'Keeffe, the five-year-old always held a prominent position, before taking over at the head of affairs after three out.

Fellow market leader French Hill loomed up looking a serious danger at the penultimate flight, edging ahead after jumping that obstacle.

However, the Gavin Cromwell trained filly could never shake off the attentions of Moylussa, who showed real determination to get back up close home to win by a neck.

It was a first winner under rules for German born Magnussen.

Winning trainer Maike Magnussen said: "That was brilliant and I'm delighted for Seamus and the family, who have put a lot of belief in me. They have stuck with me so long and I believe this horse is much better than what he has shown so far.

"I'm from Germany, have been in Ireland nearly 13 years and have a show-jumping background. I decided to change at the end of 2012 and came across Mark Molloy (trainer) who asked me had I ever ridden a thoroughbred and I said no, so stayed with him and fell in love with the point-to-pointers.

"I learned a lot from Mark and then moved to Henry De Bromhead where I also learned a lot, so then jumped and did it on my own.

"I'm mainly focused on point-to-pointers, only have a couple of runners for the track and am based in Nenagh, in Tom Hogan's yard. I have loads of young stock coming along and have plenty good owners so without them I couldn't do it.

"Seamus and his family are from Ballina/Killaloe and I have a couple of young horses for them too so this is brilliant."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes.