Mark McDonagh © Photo Healy Racing
After his winning spare ride on Coolnacritta in the previous contest, 7lb claimer Mark McDonagh completed the first double of his career when Nell’s Well (7/2) took the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Maiden Hurdle.
Previously a point-to-point winner and placed twice over hurdles, the 7-year-old made progress to lead before two out but was quickly challenged by Motown Maggie and Majestic Jewel
The latter looked held in third when coming down at the last as Nell’s Well stayed on resolutely to defeat Motown Maggie by half a length.
Winning trainer Sean O’Brien remarked: "That's a first track winner for her owner Patrick Casey. He has had horses all his life and his father had horses with me down through the years as well.
"She won a point-to-point a couple of years ago and had been running well in maidens against the likes of Willie Mullins-trained horses and everything else.
"Her best run was here in a handicap last December and she has had problems with ulcers since.
"Patrick has done an unbelievable amount of work during the summer to try and get her to strengthen up and get a bit of condition on her. She was never as strong as she was today, but we were just afraid that she mightn't be fit enough.
"Mark (McDonagh) made plenty of use of her and gave her a super ride. Mark keeps things simple, he rides a race as it unfolds.
"It's a super winner to get as we only have a handful of horses and every winner is special for a small yard.
"She probably wants a trip and there is a race over two and a half miles at Thurles for her in November but it might be a bit on the short side. She might head there off a light weight, we will see."
Quotes from Donal Murphy
