Harney sees claim reduced as Mags justifies favouritism Tom Harney saw his claim reduced to 5lb after he partnered Mags Nelson to victory in the QuinnBet Handicap Hurdle. The winner of a point-to-point when in the care of Ciaran Fennessy, the Mount Nelson six-year-old was never nearer fifth on her handicap debut at Cork earlier this month. Available at 6/1 in early shows for this extended two-mile five-furlong contest, the Rathmoy Syndicate-owned bay was eventually returned the 2/1 favourite. Settled in mid-division and sixth with a circuit to go, the 95-rated gelding made good progress into second approaching two out. Pushed along to challenge Menas Miracle before last, he was ridden on the run-in and soon got to the front, keeping on best to beat his aforementioned rival by a length-and-a-half. The runner-up was returned at 12/1 under Conor Stone-Walsh, while Dee's Getaway (16/1) was another five-and-a-half lengths away in third. "I'm delighted for the lads, they sent me the horse after he won a point-to-point. He is after finding his own level now and is a lovely horse," Ross O'Sullivan, who was registering his second winner in the space of three days, reflected. "I'm delighted for Tom Harney as well because he lost his 7lb claim and is down to 5lb now. It's a nice achievement for him. "It was a good run the last day, it was his first in a handicap and he probably learnt a bit from it. "Somewhere along the way he'll jump a fence and he loves a bit of nice ground. He is probably more of a three mile horse and this place probably wasn't ideal for him but he got balloted out on a couple of occasions so we couldn't go anywhere else. We'll have a bit of fun with him anyway."
