Nolan strikes again with Cuan Na Grai

WHAT an extraordinary game this is. On Wednesday, Tony McCoy got injured and was replaced on the eventual winner of the Galway Plate, Far From Trouble, by Roger Loughran.

Fast-forward twenty four hours to Ballybrit yesterday and it was a case of history repeating itself, before the biggest crowd in the history of this great Festival - 48,120.

Barry Geraghty was set to partner Cuan Na Grai in the Guinness Galway Hurdle, but took a tumble in the earlier Guinness Beginners Chase, fracturing his nose and jaw, and missed the ride. Into the breach stepped 20-year-old Paddy Flood and, like Loughran, he grabbed the opportunity presented with both hands. “I got the ride about half an hour before the race”, explained Flood. “I've ridden a few winners for Paul (trainer of Cuan Na Grai). I knew Barry was out and went to James Nolan (Paul's brother) and asked if I could ride him. Thankfully, I was told yes.

“I never saw another horse, thank God. This is my biggest win and Cuan Na Grai is a very, very good horse.”

Paul Nolan was enjoying his third success in five years in the Hurdle, he also scored with Say Again and Cloone River, and this has to rank among his best ever training performances.

The five-year-old had never previously contested a handicap, hadn't beaten a lot on the way and came into this tough test woefully short of experience.

But he made light of those apparent drawbacks with a quite scintillating display. Flood popped him away in front and Cuan Na Grai jumped and galloped his rivals silly. He flew up the final, fearsome hill, never flinched through the last furlong and crossed the line a hugely impressive four lengths clear of Shandon Star.

“I am just delighted for everyone, for all the lads and for John Brennan, who is a great owner”, said trainer-Nolan, as he was showered with congratulations. “All the credit has to go to my brother, James. He won't let anyone else near the horse, he trains him.

“All the work is done now and I can't wait to let my hair down. We have always thought a lot of this fellow, but he disappointed us on soft ground.

“He is very good and, hopefully, there will be many happy days ahead. He will have a bit of a break now and there is no point in making plans until we see how he is in the morning.

“He could go for the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham in November, if the ground was good. I am not sure if he has the scope to make a chaser, although he's only a baby and could strengthen a lot more.

“Paddy gave him a brilliant ride. I told him to set a nice even pace and that's what he did.

“I thought Noel O'Brien (handicapper) had been hard on the horse, asking him to race off 123. But he was right and I was wrong.”

Frances Crowley's Nonchalant could be mapped as the likely winner of the Guinness Beginners Chase from a fair way out, but in the end only scrambled to a short head victory. He made a bad mistake at the final fence and had to be hard-driven all the way up the straight by Ruby Walsh to shake off Legendsofthefall.

No sooner had he dismissed that challenge than Crossbarry Boy came from the clouds and was closing down Nonchalant all the way to the line.

Commented Crowley: “I am delighted for the owners, they are all from Galway. He loves that ground and will go for a handicap chase next.”

David Casey and Barry Geraghty, of course, were in the wars in this contest. Geraghty faces a long spell on the sidelines, as does Casey, who broke his collarbone. Eddie Power, who rode Crossbarry Boy, was suspended for two days for using his whip with excessive frequency.

The progressive Gemini Lucy completed a hat-trick with another decent effort in the Guinness Novice Chase. The only moment of worry for the mare came when she threatened to run out going to the sixth last. But Andrew Leigh soon had her back on an even keel and she powered away to easily beat Kit Carson.

“She had been disappointing, but has now come to herself”, said trainer, Jessica Harrington. “I haven't a clue where she will go next, it will be wherever there's a novice chase on good ground.”

Arc Lemanique, successful here on Tuesday, became the first horse of the week to win twice when producing a game performance in the St James' Gate Novice Hurdle. Given another excellent drive by Adrian Lane, he was in front going out for the final time and held on well as Coin Man flashed through late to get within half a length.

“He is seriously tough, but I got a bit of a fright, it would have been terrible to have it taken off us close home”, said Pat Fahy.

Davenport Democrat proved most disappointing, having been backed from evens to 4-6. He clearly failed to stay two and a half miles on this stiff track.

Fahy completed a double when Dani's Girl, under a superb drive from Declan McDonogh, beat Anna Karenina in the Guinness and Oysters EBF Fillies Handicap. Anna Karenina was a major morning-price gamble and was a big order on track as well.

McDonogh, however, drove his charge ahead off the home turn and kept her going in terrific style to hold the hot-pot by a diminishing half a length.

Pat Flynn continued his recent good run when Galistic outbattled Harcas to win the Guinness Toucan Brew Handicap. Again it was a fine effort from pilot, Danny Grant, who has now lost his claim.

Kieren Fallon returned to one of the great receptions of the week, after sweeping ahead inside the furlong pole on the Richard Fahey trained Bolodenka to foil Dermot Weld's Little Eye in the Arthur Guinness Handicap.

J P Magnier got the job done again in the Bumper, partnering his mother Sue's ex-pointer All The Aces, trained by Mags Mullins, to an all-the-way clear-cut success.

The Tote was down from €1,926,984 to €1,788,246. The layers, however, were knocked over, holding a massive €4,589,657 (national record), up from €4,293,661.