Weighty Festival problem for Nolan

SAY AGAIN, winner of the Guinness Galway Hurdle last year, proved himself on course for a return to Ballybrit later this month when landing the Connacht Gold Maiden at Roscommon last night.

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.