Martha Divine© Photo Healy Racing
Trainer Paul Nolan moved to his best season, numbers-wise, since 2010/11 with the win of 25/1 chance Martha Divine in the Visit racingtv.com (Mares) Maiden Hurdle at Punchestown today.
Jockey Sean O'Keeffe held the daughter of Telescope up behind the leaders and while Emily Roebling led over the last, Martha Divine stayed on well on the run-in to score by a length and a quarter.
Nolan lost his Grade 1 winning stable star Latest Exhibition in the Hatton's Grace Hurdle last November but today's success was his 25th this term and his best since sending out 32 winners eleven years ago.
Following the race, Wexford-based Nolan reported “we were disappointed with her in the bumper the first day and the last day she just didn't jump well at all. I was delighted where she finished given the way she jumped.
“She was a different mare today, she winged hurdles and Sean gave her a lovely ride.
“I thought she was beaten coming to the second last as the second horse (Emily Roebling) travelled better but he had enough mare to hold the rail and she rallied then. I'd say she'll stay all day.”
Quotes from Gary Carson
