Like It A Lot (near side) and Toubaloo (partly hidden) jump the final fence© Photo Healy Racing
Like It A Lot continued a good recent run for trainer Paul Nolan by taking the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Rated Novice Chase at Thurles.
The Barry Connell owned gelding just took it up before the last where he held a slight advantage over Toubaloo when they both pecked on landing.
Adrian Heskin needed to get serious on the run-in as the 5/1 chance held on by a head, with Mr Cosmopolitan staying on well in third having made a bad blunder two out. Drumlee Charlie Swan's final National Hunt runner, failed to provide the Cloughjordan handler with a fairytale end to his training career finding no extra in the straight to finish fourth.
Nolan said, "He didn't jump well and I thought we were in a spot of bother when he rooted a few fences down the back. He jumped the last well but wobbled around a bit after the last.
"At Leopardstown, he ran a bit better than his form looked as he clipped heels with the winner at one stage.
"If he gets his jumping together, I think he'll be a better horse over fences than he was over hurdles."
Heskin said, "He seems to be going the right way and just got a bit idle towards the finish. He's a bit of a character and you might see blinkers on him the next day. They could improve him another bit.
"His best form is probably over a bit further but the testing conditions today probably compensated for that."
(TW & AM)
