Mags Nelson takes Roscommon feature for O'Sullivan Ross O'Sullivan trained 11/2 chance Mags Nelson to win the featured DNG Ivan Connaughton Handicap Hurdle at Roscommon. Successful on his penultimate start at Tramore in May, the six-year-old didn't seem to get the extended trip when subsequently third over three-miles-two-furlongs at Sligo. Dropped back two-furlongs here, the gelding always travelled strongly under Danny Gilligan, before taking over in front before two out. Inthenickoftime briefly headed Mags Nelson between the last two hurdles but, a better jump from the latter at the final flight sealed the issue in his favour. “He’s a nice horse. He had a good freshen up since the last day,” said O’Sullivan. “He loves a trip and a bit of nice ground. He’s a big horse and he’ll jump a fence as well. “He’s owned by a bunch of lads from Fermoy and some of them are here tonight. “He’s a real three-mile chaser and this is his time of year and he’s in the right grade. “Danny kept it simple enough on him. They didn’t go mad, it looked like they went slow, and he was handy away and then got a lovely slip through on the inside turning in and galloped all the way to the line. “Danny likes him and said he’ll be a grand horse over fences. “We’ll keep him going while the ground and the weather is like this. It’s probably a bit easier to win races at this time of year and that’ll suit him, that’s his level.” Additional reporting by Gary Carson.
