Maxwell off the mark on Stay With It

Stay With It gained compensation for a narrow defeat last time when giving Dillon Maxwell his first winner at Clonmel today.

The partnership just went down by a head at the Kildare venue last month but made no mistake today in the Vee Handicap Hurdle.

The Andrew McNamara-trained gelding was held up before being pushed along to take closer order going to the second last.

Maxwell got a good tune from the 9/2 shot who hit the front at the final flight and pulled away in the closing stages for a four-length success.

"On his last run you'd have to give him a fair shout. He's the stable pet, is an absolute gent of a horse and has been in the frame for us plenty times but that's his first time getting his head in front,” said McNamara.

"It's great for Dillon who works in the yard with us and is a brilliant fellow to have and is a great worker and as you can tell from that, he is well able to ride too - he's been with me for a year.

"Nat Lacy (Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors), who sponsored the E50,000 Cheltenham Bonus Stable Staff prize won by Let's Dance, is involved in the horse and I'm delighted for him too."

Maxwell told At The Races:- It's my first winner. They went a bit quick from the start so I said I'd let them go on.

“Coming down around the last bend I started to give him a few slaps and he just took off back into my hands again.

“He was jumping nicely the whole way around and I'm very pleased with him.

“He winged the last, I've hit him again and he's taken off again.

“I'm based with Andrew and have been working for him for the last year. He's a very good man and will always show you the right way to go.

“I'm happy where I am and he's given me every opportunity he can give me.

“I've been riding in point-to-points. It's going alright and I'm getting a few rides here and there but nothing spectacular. Hopefully his will kick it all off for me.

“I'm around nine-and-a-half stone and could do a bit under if I wanted.”

(Quotes by Thomas Weekes)