High Nellie and Cathal Landers pictured on their way to victory© Photo Healy Racing
High Nellie got a deserved win to her name as she took the M2 Construction Mares Maiden Hurdle on her twenty-third career start.
Having filled the runner-up spot five times previously, the Michael Bowe trained seven-year-old certainly wasn't winning out of turn as she went off the well-backed 5/4 favourite (from 13/8 on-course).
Prominent throughout under Cathal Landers, the daughter of High Chaparral went a few lengths clear after three out, and kept on well in the straight, going on to score by five lengths. Mother's Best finished second under Ben Dalton for Nicky Stokes at 8/1, while Mistheatre (8s to 7s) was a length and a half back in third for Robbie Power and Jessica Harrington.
Bowe said afterwards: "She was always the bridesmaid and never the bride. It was long overdue, and it was just a case of finding a race for her and we found it today. She enjoyed herself out there today.
"She is a clean, quick and efficient jumper. She is in winners company now so life might bit a little bit more difficult for her now.
"She has enough scope to jump a fence as well, but she will stay over hurdles for the present. She just about got away with the ground, she likes a cut in it. She wasn't letting herself down fully on it.
"I won't be going to Cheltenham with her anyway! We'll get today over first and we'll plan after that.
"Cathal gave her a great ride. He is a super chap and great value for seven pounds. He deserves a lot of credit and has been a terrific help to me. Only for him I couldn't manage. He is a lad that deserves every opportunity he gets. I'm as delighted for him as I am for myself.!
STEWARDS REPORT
The Stewards interviewed B.R. Dalton, rider of Mother's Best, concerning his use of the whip in the closing stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards were of the opinion that B.R. Dalton was in breach of regulation 10.3 (g) in that he used his whip with his arm above shoulder height. Having considered his previous record in this regard, the Stewards suspended B.R. Dalton for 1 raceday.
