Racing:Trainer Paul Nolan enjoyed a near 141-1 treble at Limerick with Golden Sunbird, Aura About You and Politeo striking gold. The first two winners took the feature prizes in the hands of 7lb claimer Michael Doran, while seasoned pro Davy Russell was on board Politeo.
Doran was not allowed to use his allowance in either of the two big races but he did not need any extra help it as he justified the faith of Nolan and owner of the pair, James Mernagh.
Aura About You (6-1) upset the hot favourite For Bill in the ITBA Fillies Scheme EBF Dawn Run Mares Novice Chase. For Bill was never travelling like an odds-on shot as Gentle Alice tried to make all the running, while Doran produced Aura About You to jump into the lead at the last.
She ran out a smooth winner of the Grade Three heat by three lengths from For Bill, with Gentle Alice a tired third. Nolan’s brother and assistant James said: “That was a great ride from Michael. The slow pace probably didn’t suit us but it wouldn’t have suited For Bill either.
“She jumps well and she is coming into herself now in the spring and she’ll go for the mares chase at Fairyhouse at Easter.”
Golden Sunbird (8-1) also denied a hot-pot, Dare To Doubt, in the Kerry Group EBF Mares Novice Hurdle. The pair pulled some way clear of the others before the turn for home, where Doran decided to ask his mount for maximum effort.
She responded in game fashion and was 18 lengths ahead at the line. Definite Class got up to snatch second spot from 4-6 chance Dare To Doubt by a short head.
Nolan added: “She’s a tough mare. Michael gets a great tune out of her. He seems to have a special bond with her and she jumped so well for him in Leopardstown that we continued their partnership. The trip (two miles) was a worry coming down here and we would have been happy if she’d been placed.
“She jumped really well today and she handles the ground. Good ground is her ideal ground though, Tony McCoy said that the day he rode her in Sandown. She’ll go to Fairyhouse now for the mares’ final.”
A memorable day for the absent Nolan was completed when 5-4 favourite Politeo came home as a nine-length winner of the Mullins Electrical Beginners Chase in the colours of the Gigginstown House Stud.
The trainer’s assistant remarked: “That was an ordinary contest and I thought that Baily Rock was the danger until he came out. He jumped great. Davy said he was deadly to jump. He probably wants better ground and I hope the handicapper gives him a chance now.”
Vics Canvas got up in the dying strides to reward favourite backers in the Friends of Liam Hogan Maiden Hurdle to give 5lb claimer Conor Maxwell his first winner since returning from injury.
Winning trainer Dermot McLoughlin said: “I knew he’d stay well because he’s an out and out stayer. He was entitled to win that and his form is rock solid. He stays and jumps well.”
The Cecil Ross-trained Our Eric (25-1) registered his first success since December 2008 with a cosy victory in the Ballynoe Stables Pre Cheltenham Handicap Hurdle.
“That was badly needed. He was entitled to beat them and I fancied him a bit. He wasn’t giving much weight away and he was coming back into form a bit,” said Ross.
D’s Trix (5-1) took top honours in the Charleville Cheese Handicap Chase, while hot favourite Lovethehigherlaw could only finish second to 8-1 chance Mount Benbulben in the the Kevin Frost Memorial INH Flat Race.