Durkan delight for Noland
Paul Nicholls’ Noland stayed on strongly in the testing conditions to get the better of fellow British raider The Listener in a thrilling finish to the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase.
Jockey Sam Thomas, stable jockey to trainer Paul Nicholls in the absence of the injured Ruby Walsh, was not given the ride on Master Minded in Saturday’s Tingle Creek after a crisis of confidence for the rider but he is now back in the winning groove at the highest level.
Settled in midfield for much of this two-and-a-half-mile contest, the 9-4 joint-favourite moved up to challenge The Listener for the lead in the back straight and began to assert.
The latter looked beaten when making a bad mistake four fences from home but came back on the run-in and was only half a length in arrears at the line. Former Cheltenham Gold Cup hero War Of Attrition plugged on to take third.
“It is really great for Sam to get a Grade One winner under his belt and this will get his confidence back,” said Nicholls. “He (Noland) jumped very well and although he idled in the closing stages, this was to be expected and the ground was probably not ideal for him.
“His main aim would be the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham this season and the plan is for him to have one run beforehand.”
Nick Mitchell was thrilled to see The Listener bounce back to form following a below-par effort at Down Royal last time.
“It’s just good to see him back to his old form and that mistake down the back may just have cost us, but you never know,” said Mitchell.
Mouse Morris was similarly pleased with the performance of War Of Attrition in ground which would not have suited the nine-year-old.
“He ran a very good race in the ground, as we know he doesn’t like it too testing,” said Morris.
“He seems to have come out of the race fine and, all being well, he will now either go to Kempton for the King George or to Leopardstown for the Lexus.”
Go Native ran out an impressive winner of the INH Stallion Owners EBF Novice Hurdle under a typically confident ride from Paul Carberry.
Noel Meade’s 7-2 chance ranged up to China Rock on the run to the final flight and soon swept to the front, passing the post a length and three-quarters to the good.
Imaalhall stayed on strongly in the hands of Mark Walsh to take the Kimpton Vale Handicap Hurdle.
Francis Flood’s charge was sent off the 9-2 market leader and his supporters were counting their winnings as he went clear before the final flight.
He refused to let his rivals make any inroads on the run-in and only had to be kept up to his work to prevail by two lengths from The Flying Dustman.
