Galway Hurdle on agenda for impressive Cuan Na Grai
Successful previously in two ordinary events at Wexford, the Erins Isle gelding turned in easily his best ever effort with a fine, front-running display.
Barry Geraghty pushed him clear going to the second last and Cuan Na Grai lengthened away to beat Assiun by nine lengths.
“He will be entered for the Galway Hurdle and I would love to run him off 10-5 or 10-6”, said Nolan.
Rated 110 going into the contest, the handicapper, Noel O'Brien, was on site and admitted to being “impressed.”
Both favourite John Bob and main market rival Trefflich, also trained by Nolan and partnered by Geraghty, were popular in the ring for the Perks' Funfair at Limerick Races Maiden Hurdle, but it was Trefflich who held all the aces on the track.
John Bob went on five from home, but the winner eased past before two out to score with plenty in hand.
“I thought he'd win the last day (3rd, Gowran Park handicap), but am pleased with him today”, reported Nolan.
“We thought he had loads of pace, but Barry says we could step him up to two and a half miles. He could head for another handicap now, we'll see.”
Bookmakers got a smashing result when unconsidered 20-1 shot Like A Dream took the Limerick Leader Maiden Hurdle.
Monty Mint went for glory down hill to the straight, but hitting two out was no help and Niall Madden soon produced the winner to lead at the final flight.
Like A Dream is owned and trained by Matty Tynan at Fethard, Co Tipperary. Said Tynan: “I don't think I've had a winner for about four years, this is better than winning the lotto.”
The daughter of Alzao scored four times on the flat and then threw a foal by Mull Of Kintyre, who is now a two-year-old and racing in France.
Young Elodie got the best of a tough battle with Emotional Article to take the Supermacs Handicap Hurdle.
The pair went to-to-toe from the penultimate obstacle, with Young Elodie the stronger close home and Coast To Coast right on top of them.
The principals got close together approaching the last, but a stewards' inquiry was never going to reverse the placings.
Denis Cullen represented trainer, Michael O'Brien, and indicated Galway, Young Elodie scored there last year, was again on the agenda.
The Tralee winner Young Patriarch was a desperately unlucky loser of the Family Raceday Novice Chase.
He appeared to have the contest in safe keeping going to the final fence, but took off much too early, giving Davy Russell no chance of keeping the partnership intact.
Room To Room Gold was left in front, as favourite, Rolling Home, well held in third, departed here as well.
Trainer, Sean Treacy, nominated the Guinness Chase at Galway as the next assignment for his ten-year-old.
Paul McMahon, ten years trying to ride a winner, finally managed it when Medical Debenture landed the Bumper.
Taken as high as 7-2 in the morning and from 11-4 to 2-1 on track, he was slowly away, but soon made up the ground, and was in front fully six furlongs out.
He galloped on relentlessly in the closing stages to beat Mustang McGarry a comfortable two lengths.
“This has always been Paul's ambition and I am delighted for him”, said trainer, Michael Halford. “He loves that ground and I will run next in either a winners' bumper or a maiden hurdle.”
Michael Hourigan's Larry Boy, runner-up at Kilbeggan, went one better with an emphatic success in the Dolans' Warehouse Handicap Chase.
He cruised ahead for Andrew McNamara after the third last and Killarney and Galway now loom on his horizon.
