Saga Aravis scores for Nolan & James

On a day favouring prominent racers, Saga Aravis (15/2) was another to make all in the John Thomas McNamara Series (Q.R.) Handicap Hurdle.

The French-bred five-year-old, who had been placed a couple of times over further earlier in the season, wasn’t foot perfect over the last few obstacles but kept up the gallop in gritty style under Rob James to beat Mahler Storm (33/1) by five lengths. There was a further four lengths back to conspicuous eyecatcher My Boy Bob (14/1) in a never-nearer third.

This was a first win for the son of No Risk At All on his thirteenth start, all of which have been over hurdles.

Winning trainer Paul Nolan said The boys (Buzzer Racing Syndicate) are delighted, they are a syndicate from Enniscorthy that includes Padge 'Skinner” Walsh who hurled for Wexford for years. We hurled together for years as well.

“It's great to have a winner for the local lads. He got the run of it today, he went out and nothing came near him.

“He made his usual couple of mistakes but thankfully there was nothing close enough to him to take advantage of that. I'm just glad he won.”

Kate Derwin, who rode the third My Boy Bob, was later handed a ten-day suspension for 'not being seen to make sufficient effort' on her mount while trainer Tony Martin's explanations were noted by the stewards.

Quotes from Gary Carson