Weighty Festival problem for Nolan
Having his first run on the flat, the grey seven-year-old held on in a tight finish to beat Dark Trojan and Hunters Bar, proving the first leg of a double for trainer Paul Nolan. Plans for Galway are uncertain, however, as Nolan is not anxious to saddle Say Again under a big weight in a repeat bid for the coveted handicap hurdle. With a rating of 135, Say Again could find himself close to the top of the handicap and, if this is the case, Nolan will opt to run him in a novice chase at the Festival.
Nolan completed his double when Accordion Etoile made a successful jumping debut under John Cullen in the Ballybride Maiden Hurdle.
This four-year-old started joint favourite and had to survive a blunder at the final hurdle and a later stewards enquiry to be confirmed the winner. Nolan intends resting his charge until the autumn.
Another trainer in double form was David Wachman who was successful with Dance On The Moon and Callow Lake.
On a rare visit to Roscommon, champion jockey Michael Kinane partnered 2/1 favourite Dance On The Moon to a smooth victory in the Irish Stallion Farms Filles Maiden.
This filly, which had shown promise at Gowran, will now be aimed at the Silver Flash Stakes, a listed race at Leopardstown next week while Kinane is now eight clear of nearest Johnny Murtagh in the race for the jockeys’ championship.
Callow Lake gave Michael Cleere (19) from Killenaule, Co. Tipperary, his first success in the saddle when springing a 20/1 shock in the Sherry Fitzgerald Burke Auctioneers Handicap, the second leg of Wachman’s double.
Trainer Pat Rooney registered his first win since taking over the licence from his father and namesake when Captain Mike proved a convincing winner of the Flemings Super Value Handicapp Hurdle.
