Doyen Ta Win and Kevin Sexton jump the last© Photo Healy Racing
Enthusiastic front-runner Doyen Ta Win (6/1) turned the Naas Cleanest Town In Ireland Handicap Hurdle upside down today, holding on for a dramatic nose win over J.P. McManus' gambled Neveradullmoment .
An all-the-way winner at Limerick over Christmas, the five year old mare was sent into a clear lead in today's 18-runner race by jockey Kevin Sexton and was well clear from halfway.
Morning gamble Neveradullmoment (7/1 — 5/2jf) was amongst the chasing pack in the final half-mile and while still six lengths behind at the last, flew home but failed by a nose to catch the winner
Winning trainer Declan Queally wasn't present and Sexton said “I was confident I held on and I would have been disappointed if I didn't. The loose horse (Insane Bolt) definitely helped late-on but to be fair to her, she doesn't idle.
“She goes as hard as she can for as long as she can and wears her heart on her sleeve. She's not the easiest to manage but the one thing she does is jump. She deserved it.”
He added “I was a bit worried that Naas wouldn't be the ideal front running track but to be fair she was sweet and Dec (Queally junior, assistant trainer) said she was in great form.
“She probably improved from her Limerick win, which was nice to get because I probably should have won on her in Wexford the first day. It makes up now getting two on her and she's a mare that you need to know.
“That was good after doing a low weight (10st).”
Quotes from Gary Carson
