Grand Annual possible takes his Opportunity

The Paul Nolan trained Dick Dundee registered his fifth winner at Gowran today, narrowing winning the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Hurdle under capable claimer Luke Dempsey.

Also previously successful in a point-to-point, the son of King's Theatre possesses a chase rating 28lbs above today's hurdle mark but having failed to win his previous four handicap hurdles, battled gamely today to edge out Maguire's Glen close home, for a half length win.

Nolan later stated "I didn't think he'd stay going as that's the first time he's finished a race on soft ground.

"He'll go for the Grand Annual at Cheltenham. He's rated 137 in Ireland, so shouldn't be too much higher in England.

"He's not the same horse over hurdles as fences. When he came off the bridle I thought there was no way he'd get home. I didn't think he'd handle the ground."

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Alan Magee