Nelson survives scares before posting decisive win Despite some scares along the way, Nelson Muntz justified 8/15 favouritism (from 13/8 early) in the opener at Kilbeggan this evening, the WTW Willis Maiden Hurdle. Third on his sole previous outing over flights in October, the Harry Kelly-trained six-year-old was a good fourth on the level at Gowran on Tuesday. Racing mainly in second under Peter Smithers, the Mount Nelson bay was far from fluent over three out, but assumed command after the next. Clear approaching the final flight, he again blundered and almost unseated, but recovered quickly and went on to post a decisive 14-length win. The front-running Backwithyourown (7/2 from 9/2) finished second under Eoin Walsh, while Carry On Heidi (16/1) was a further eight-lengths back in third. "He kind of went down on his nose at the third last and I went down to the second last and gave him a squeeze and he landed me in front. I'd say I was there way too soon on him," said Smithers. "Going down to the last he pricked his ears and was having a look around instead of doing what he was meant to be doing. He survived it anyway. "It's inexperience, maybe. He only had the one run over hurdles and probably put his feet in the wrong place at the back of it. Still he stood up and he won well. "I thought we went a right good gallop and I was hoping he was going to come back to me, which he did. "That lad has plenty of gears, after coming off the Flat. I'm delighted." STEWARDS REPORTS * L.A. McKenna, rider of Heron's Butler, trained by Dermot Anthony McLoughlin, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount cocked it's jaw as it passed the entrance to the parade ring on the first circuit. * At the request of the Raceday Stewards, L.A. McKenna, rider of Heron's Butler, trained by Dermot Anthony McLoughlin, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount was one paced early on. Additional reporting by Gary Carson
