Never The Same lands Naas finale The Joseph O'Brien-trained Never The Same was a game winner of the finale at Naas, the Hurling for Cancer on August 24th Fillies' Maiden, giving jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle a double on the day. The daughter of No Nay Never was fourth on her latest start in the Curragh, but having been blocked off for a run, she was probably an unlucky fourth. McMonagle elected to be prominent early with her, and when the Jessica Harrington-trained Nautic Star came to the O'Brien filly, she kicked on again and showed real tenacity to edge out and win by half a length. Speaking after the race, trainer Joseph O'Brien said: “It’s nice to win her maiden with a well-bred, good-looking filly,” said O’Brien. “We’ll see where we go with her now. I’d say we’ll go back (in trip) rather than up again.” On the fourth-placed Acula, he added: “We’ve always really liked her and she has a pedigree. “She’s had a few little niggles, but I’d say she has a high ceiling.” (Quotes from Gary Carson)
