Restricted trainer and Clonmel hotelier John Nallen has more than a passing interest in Bloodstock Sales in Britain and is eyeing a return to the ring with his Minella Clonmel which won the Mallow Town Summer Bbq Evening July 8th Handicap Hurdle at Cork today.

Nallen, whose Minella Hotel in Clonmel provides the material for his horses’ names, was the successful vendor of three winning point to pointers at the Brightwell Sales last week, gaining a net total of GBP £435,000.

At Cork today, Minella Clonmel, under Mattie Bowes, held the challenge of Without The Bop and kept a loose horse out of danger on the run-in for a neck win.

Afterwards Nallen stated “Minella Clonmel is a big strong horse who wants good ground. He may go to the Horses In Training Sales at Doncaster in May next. The Sales over there have been lucky for me!”

Nallen’s trio of recent good fortune were Templemore point to point winner Minellaforfitness, sold for £130,000, Durrow winner Minella For Steak, sold for £230,000 and Minella For Party, sold for 75,000.

As if the point “when your luck is in” needs any more proving, Nallen’s winner today got in as the second reserve!

Thomas Weekes