Nolan strikes with Grai

Paul Nolan landed his third Guinness Galway Hurdle when Cuan Na Grai made all under super sub Paddy Flood on the fourth day of the festival meeting.

Flood proved to be a more than able deputy for connections after their original choice, Barry Geraghty, broke his nose in a nasty fall from Limerick Lord in the first race.

But the former had no time to be thinking of his weighing room colleague as he set out to make the two-mile trip a real test from the flag fall.

The five-year-old was thought to be relatively inexperienced for a race of this nature but he came into the contest on the back of three straight wins.

Cuan Na Grai had four lengths to spare over Ruby Walsh on the 6-1 favourite Shandon Star at the ine, with The Last Hurrah (10-1) and Emmpat (12-1) filling the places.

Despite always being in high regard by his trainer, it is only now that he is beginning to show his true colours on the track, with Nolan attributing most of the improvement down to racing on better ground.

“The horse doesn’t have to make the running, he just needs a consistent gallop,” he said.

“He’s been a revelation on this better ground. He had been entered in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham and we’ve always held him in high regard - hopefully this is the beginning and not the end for him. He’s a very good horse, he’s matured a lot.

“I think we’ll give him a break now.

“The Greatwood Hurdle in November at Cheltenham is a possible for him, he should mature a bit more.

“We’ll bring him home and have a look before we decide where to go next, his jumping was top class today. I thought his rating of 123 was harsh when the weights came out but I was proved wrong.”

Flood, 20, was landing the biggest race of his career and he was full of praise for the horse.

“He could be top class, he was very, very good today,” said Flood.

“That’s the biggest win of my career to date. After Barry Geraghty got injured I asked James Nolan assistant trainer) for the ride as I’ve ridden a few winners for them recently and I’m really grateful for the opportunity.

“I never saw another horse all the way.”

Walsh got the day off to a great start for punters when Nonchalant just held off the late thrust of Crossbarry Boy in the Guinness Beginners Chase for Frances Crowley.

The 3-1 favourite was always in the front rank and Walsh seemed happy tracking Michael Cunningham’s mare, Legendsofthefall, who is currently in foal.

However, Nonchalant clouted the last and lost all momentum, giving Crossbarry Boy (20-1) the chance to rally.

Walsh used all of his strength to hold off John Joseph Murphy’s charge by a short-head as Legendsofthefall (16-1) stayed on for third.

There was drama as early as the third fence when Geragthy’s mount took a tumble and brought down Mr Blacktie, ridden by David Casey.

Casey was also taken to hospital for X-rays on his left shoulder and collar bone.

Gemini Lucy (6-4) ran out a comfortable winner of the Guinness Novice Chase for Jessica Harrington and Andrew Leigh.

A winner on her last two starts she landed the hat-trick without too much trouble and has the look of a mare to follow.

Charlie Swan’s Kit Carson (3-1) ran on for second, while Rooftop Protest, who ran on the flat at the Festival on Tuesday, stayed on for third.

“On the whole she jumped very well, the only problem was when she tried to run out after the loose horse,” Harrington told At The Races.

“Other than that she jumped the last two in the dip really well, she jumps enthusiastically and doesn’t like to be disappointed.

“She enjoys her job and we’ll see where we go from here.”

Arc Lemanique (7-1) scored a popular success in the St James’s Gate Novice Hurdle.

Pat Fahy’s six-year-old already had a win at this year’s meeting to his name from Tuesday night and he was all out to hold on from the fast-finishing Coin Man (16-1).

Adrian Lane made all on the Hernando entire and his 3lb claim certainly came in useful in a driving finish, with War General (9-1) back in third.

Davenport Democrat was a disappointing odds-on favourite for Willie Mullins and Walsh.

Fahy made it an 80-1 double when Dani’s Girl (9-1) won the Guinness & Oysters European Breeders Fund Fillies Handicap over seven furlongs.

Ridden by Declan McDonogh, the new Irish riding sensation, the filly made all and held off Kieren Fallon on the well-backed 6-4 favourite Anna Karenina.

Fallon did not go home empty handed as he landed his second win of the week when partnering Bolodenka (3-1) for Richard Fahey to victory in the Arthur Guinness Handicap.

However, there was more drama as We Are The Chelsea stumbled in the final furlong and unshipped Wayne Lordon.

“Richard Fahey wasn’t going to bring this horse over here for nothing,” said Fallon.

“He got me out of jail really as we had nowhere to go but as soon as the gap came he went through it.

“I had a look round because I didn’t want to interfere with anybody and I had enough horse under me to squeeze through.

“Richard is a master with these type of horses and he wasn’t going to bring him here for the holiday.”

Dermot Weld’s Little Eye (11-4) chased home Fallon, with Senator’s Alibi third and Peculiar Prince fourth.

In the Guinness Toucan Brew Handicap, Galistic followed up his win at Leopardstown on Saturday night under a 5lb penalty.

Trained by Patrick Flyn and ridden by 3lb claimer Danny Grant, the 13-2 chance beat Harcas by half a length.