Nolan & Flanagan combine to win maiden hurdle

Fortunefavorsdbold (14s into 10/1 before the off) saw out the three-mile trip well to land the maiden hurdle.

The blinkered Paul Nolan-trained mare tracked the pace set by Japers Jack and moved up to challenge that one at the second-last. Desert Heather made her move at the same time but it was Sean Flanagan's mount who picked up best on the run to the final flight and she stayed on well to thwart Desert Heather by half a length.

Placed at Clonmel last month, the winner was getting off the mark on her fifth start over hurdles.

Flanagan said: "I've gone a bit left jumping the last, where I was long and low, but I've won with plenty in hand.

"I jumped quite well and was always trying to get as much cover as I could as Paul and James (Nolan) were anxious that I got a lead. Going as slow as we did probably helped."

Quotes from Tom Weekes