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John O'Riordan
Nonino swoops late to give Weld across the card double
Grappa Nonino and Chris Hayes near win the Donie Broderick Plumbing Handicap Healy
© Photo Healy Racing
Trainer Dermot Weld completed an across the card double when Grappo Nonino stayed on strongly to take the penultimate Donie Broderick Handicap at Killarney.
On the scoresheet at Sligo with Blazing Sunset earlier in the evening, the Master of Rosewell Lodge doubled up courtesy of the Colvin G. Ryan owned winner.
A maiden in 10 starts on the flat, the four-year-old got his head in front over hurdles at Navan in March, before finishing runner-up back in this code last time.
Chris Hayes produced the Teofilo gelding early in the straight and he got the better of a three-way battle with Away To Sea and Barometer inside the final furlong before going on to win.
"We went very steady but he is a gentleman and switched off lovely in behind. The track was our biggest concern because he is a big boy and it took me a while to get him organised around the bend (into the straight); said winning jockey Hayes.
"They started to sprint and I had to give Shane Foley (on Barometer) the run and had to come out and around. I ended up getting there sooner than ideal but he ran to the line well.
"It is a nice bit of placing, he is a consistent horse and is fun for his new owners."
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes