Mrs Mac Veale was following in more illustrious hoof prints when being the second horse to complete a hat-trick of wins at Naas today, winning the Event Hire At Naas Racecourse Mares Handicap Hurdle for trainer Robert Murphy and jockey Andrew McNamara.

Mrs Mac Veale, winner of handicaps at Limerick and Punchestown recently, was emulating the feat achieved by Grade 1 winner Diakali in an earlier race today when, from a rating of 105, staying on well from the last for a two and a half lengths win over Good As Gold

Cappoquin, Co Waterford based winning trainer Murphy was on leading-up duties but McNamara later said “she's a lovely mare and it's my first time riding her. She jumped great the whole way but then just dived left at the last.”

“She was grand today but felt like she could be a bit 'scatty'; I'd say she has learned a lot recently.

By Thomas Weekes, quotes from Alan Magee