Flanagan notches chase double on Could

Sean Flanagan doubled up in both races over fences at Galway tonight when the well-backed It Could Be You claimed the Kenny Developments Handicap Chase.

The Tom Mullins-trained gelding tracked the leaders throughout in the two-mile-six contest and was ridden away from the last in third place.

He knuckled down well to press the leaders turning for home and claimed Nuttorridge inside the final furlong to secure victory. Hoke Colburn stayed on late to get within two lengths in the runner-up spot.

The 10/1 winner (33/1 this morning) was recording his first success over fences to add to a maiden hurdle and a bumper.

He had pulled up on his most recent outing over hurdles at the festival meeting here.

Mullins said afterwards:- “He took a while to find his way over jumps. We gave him a break and brought him back for the hurdle race here but he jumped one big and tore the heel off himself at the festival.

“We patched it up and said we’d come down the chase route.

“The yard is in good order and he had a good handicap mark compared to his hurdle mark.

“He’s not the fastest horse in the world and maybe he could come back for the Blazers here next year.”

(Quotes by Alan Magee)