El C Wells got off the mark at the 12th attempt at Dundalk today, as the Pat Martin trained four year old landed the DundalkStadium.com Apprentice Handicap under jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle. Never Back Down unseated his rider leaving the stalls and while loose, led the field but avoided causing significant interference as El C Wells, a daughter of Belardo, scored by two and three parts of a length from Burren Song

Trainer Martin reported “Dylan is a great talent and it was a very astute ride.

“He felt they went very hard, we were a long way back early on but it was essential that we got her to switch off tonight going a mile-and-a-half for the first time. She can be hard on herself.

“She threatened to do that a few times last year and then she kind of lost her way so it's great to get her back.

“She has a lovely pedigree, her second dam (Ameerat) won the 1,000 Guineas, so it's important to get that.

“I was afraid the loose horse would see the gate here, turn to the right and take us out. It would be just our luck! He probably gave us something to race with.

“She won well enough and we won't be in a hurry with her as she needs three or four weeks between our races.”

Quotes from Gary Carson