Wexford trainer Paul Nolan has greatly increased his horse numbers in recent years due to the success he has achieved with horses like Accordian Etoile, Cloone River and Say Again.
Already lying in third place in the leading trainers list (with over E440,000 in win and place money), Nolan´s Cloone River is a prime target for the Arkle Chase at Cheltenham next March while his Accordion Etoile also figures prominently in bookmakers´ ante-post lists for the Champion Hurdle.
Here Nolan lists 23 of his string which appear likely to win races more over the coming season.
Accordion Etoile: 'His success in the Greatwood Hurdle (defeating Rooster Booster) has shown us what we always thought of him - that he can go right to the top. He will have a short break now and at Christmas we will set out his targets on route to the Champion Hurdle.'
Cloone River: 'A really classy horse that jumps brilliantly, has lots of speed and loves good ground. He was a good handicapper over hurdles but with the speed he has on good ground, combined with his quick jumping style, he could make a top class two-mile chaser. The Arkle in Cheltenham is the main objective so hopefully we can get him there in top shape on the day. He won’t run again until February but we haven’t yet decided where.'
Colnel Rayburn: 'Despite being a giant of a horse, he is still weak but is getting stronger every year.He won the E.B.F. Novice Chase Final at Navan last year before falling in the Irish Grand National. Normally a very good jumper, he loves soft ground and his early season target is the Welsh National. If he doesn’t get into the handicap, he’ll stay at home for the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown, before going to Gowran for the Thyestes Chase. He may develop into an Aintree Grand National horse in time.'
City Hall: 'A great servant who has been very unlucky, being second in valuable handicap chases in Limerick and Cork recently. Although he has plenty of ability, he keeps a bit for himself, but hopefully will get his turn again soon.'
Dix Villex: 'A smashing French bred whom Michael O’Leary (Gigginstown Stud) bought after winning two point to points. He appears to like soft ground and we believe that he will develop into a decent stayer - expect to see him out in a bumper before Christmas.'
Dabaroun: 'Bought into the yard following some good form on the flat this year for John Oxx. Hopefully he will develop into a good juvenile hurdler this season.'
Escrea: 'Unlucky at Wexford last week, when a mistake in the race at the third last certainly didn´t help her. She should get her turn soon and hopefully she can pick up some black-type to add to a lovely pedigree.'
Gaelic Scholar: 'Unlucky not to win her bumper last year. Jumped very green but ran well on her hurdling debut at Galway in October. Does jump well and should win over hurdles this year. May do better over fences and is best on soft ground.'
Gardol: 'A half brother to multiple winner Indalo, he ran terribly green in a bumper Galway at the Festival. I think he’ll win his bumper on soft ground.'
Jack Lord: 'A decent horse who won his bumper for us before developing leg trouble. He is back a while now and if he stays sound he’ll win more races.'
Kill Devil Hill: 'He has the same owner as Dix Villex and like all of the Gigginstown Stud horses, he is a good-looking chasing type. He should win his bumper but his future lies over fences - we hold him in high regard.'
Kymandjen: 'A good servant who was second in last year’s Paddy Power Chase. At his best on soft ground going right-handed, he jumps great and we hope that he’ll win a valuable prize this season.'
Mrs. Wallensky: 'Won well at Fairyhouse last week on a track which was too sharp for her. She stays well, is very tough and goes on any ground. She can pick up a decent prize over hurdles during the year and should improve as the year goes on.'
Mango Catcher: 'A nice little horse but pulls quite hard. He has found it hard to stay two miles over hurdles but we still think that he will do better in time, when he is stronger and learns to settle.'
No Complications: 'We blame ourselves for his two disappointing runs prior to winning a very competitive Naas bumper last year. Is capable of winning a decent novice hurdle but longterm, he has the makings of a very good staying chaser.'
Russian Buck: 'Won his bumper in Wexford recently, jumps well and will now run over hurdles. He wants soft ground and a trip.'
Shuil le Bob: 'A half sister to exciting novice chaser River City. She won her bumper in July and her maiden hurdle at Down Royal recently. She prefers better ground and is a filly that will win plenty of races.'
Say Again: 'He has been our flagship for a long time now and he owes us nothing, winning a Galway Hurdle and the Grade One Swordlestown Cup at the Punchestown Festival last April. Liz Kent, our physio, has worked wonders for him and he is better than ever. I think he could be well handicapped over fences but may start him off in the Hilly Way Chase at Cork next month with his main target likely to be the Grand Annual Chase at Cheltenham next March.'
Sirius Storm: 'A shade unlucky in a bumper in Downpatrick this week. We may give him one more chance in a country bumper before sending over hurdles - he jumps well.'
Snowy Ford: 'A great servant (won seven races) who hopefully he will regain his old ability, having been disappointing lately. He started his chasing career in great style with a win in Killarney but has never been the same since.'
Savitha: 'A big filly, she won her bumper last year and ran a cracker first time over hurdles this year. She was just touched off in a maiden hurdle at Wexford last week and should win a maiden hurdle before Christmas. A filly who will get better in time and will hopefully win a nice race during the season.'
Ultimate Force: 'A nice horse, he ran well at Galway in October, with the form working out nicely. He will do well in staying handicap hurdles.'
Zaydar: 'Won a maiden hurdle at Tipperary in the Summer but has had two sinus operations since. The operations seem to be a success and if he stays right we think he is a good horse.'
