Paul Nolan and his very able 7lb claimer Michael Doran opened their accounts this week at Galway when teaming up for an easy success as Gala Dancer trounced his rivals in the three miles Tote Jackpot Races 3 to 6 Handicap Hurdle.
A half-brother to Nolan's 2004 Guinness Galway Hurdle hero Cloone River, the 12/1 chance (paid €26.40 on the Tote) was up with the pace throughout and stretched clear off the home turn to beat Corrick Bridge (12/1) by ten lengths. King Ali (10/1) did his best to press the winner on the downhill run to the second last but could find no extra another six lengths adrift in third, with Compton Court (25/1) in fourth.
Nolan said, “Michael bounced him out well at the start and gave him a lovely ride. He never missed a beat. There was a lot of incident in behind but on the day I think my fella was going to be hard to beat.”
One of the incidents Nolan was eluding to was the sad demise of Bingo Lady at the fifth last. Tom Doyle's mount appeared to break a leg when prominent on the approach to this flight, and the rider was very fortunate to escape injury when fired to the ground. Shay Barry also appeared none the worse of a fall from Excellent As Usual just after halfway.
Alan Magee
