Flanagan doubles up in a Flash

Sean Flanagan secured a quick double at Thurles this afternoon when Flash De Touzaine stayed on strongly down the straight to land the stayers maiden hurdle.

The race, run over just shy of two-miles-seven was run at a strong gallop with Liz Doyle's charge settled in behind the leaders early on.

Flanagan's mount landed in a challenging position after a slick jump three from home and was asked to hit the front after the penultimate flight.

A fine leap at the last sealed matters as the the Kapgarde gelding galloped on strongly to record a four-and-a-half length win over Max Flamingo

The winner was making just his second outing over timber having chased home Wearapinkribbon at Tramore last month.

"He is a lovely horse and we've always liked him. He has just been a bit mentally fragile and immature but it is all coming together and settling down,” said Doyle.

"He has always had ability and is showing it off now. He did that quite easily, he is a stayer and a chaser, being so big.

“I'm not sure whether we'll go for a novice or a handicap next but he is a very very nice horse for the future.

"He is sound and stays and jumps and is a lovely clean horse now that he has sorted his mental fragilities out."

(Quotes by Tom Weekes)