Sassie gets Nolan back on track

Paul Nolan recorded his first winner since May, as Miss Sassie came out on top in the Garry Flood Landscaping Mares Handicap Hurdle.

Placed twice earlier in the summer, the daughter of Yeats disappointed on her handicap debut at Cork in July.

That effort was over two and a half miles, and dropped back to two this afternoon she was sent off a 13/2 chance (as big as 8s this morning) under Davy Russell.

Settled towards rear, she still had plenty to do in eighth as they entered the straight. She was pushed along from two out and came with her challenge before the last, keeping on best under pressure on the run-in, going on to score by a length and a quarter. Lockeen Girl was sent off the well-backed 7/2 favourite (from 5s) and she attempted to make all under David Mullins for his father Tom.

The daughter of Beneficial ultimately had to settle for second, with Theatre Run (11/1) another neck back in third for Shane Shortall and Mark Cahill.

Nolan said afterwards: "She will go for something similar now again. She is a four-year-old and is from a fantastic family. It's great to have the win under her belt now for broodmare purposes. Hopefully she'll improve, she is exposed enough.

"Her owners (the Brownes) are the salt of the earth, they are fantastic people and I can’t say enough good about them.

"Davy was fantastic on her, he is one of the best. It was just an exceptional ride. They went very quick and Davy just done a brilliant job on her."

STEWARDS REPORTS

P.T. Enright, rider of Field Exhibition trained by Liam Casey, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount never travelled.

The Stewards requested a report from Paul Nolan, trainer ,as to the apparent improvement in form of Miss Sassie, placed first, as compared with its recent form. The trainer reported that his charge had suffered wind problems in the past and ran very prominent on his last run before fading quickly. He further added that a change in tactics to settle his charge out the back and ride a more patient race had benefitted his charge and he felt that this had brought about the apparent improvement in form. Having considered the evidence the Stewards noted the content of the report.