Well-backed Friend completes double for Nolan

Our Friend landed a gamble in the Tramore AFC Handicap Chase, completing a double for Paul Nolan.

A winner on debut at Wexford in October of 2019, the son of Shantou had been ultimately disappointing since, but did hint at a return to form recently, finishing fourth on two of his last three starts.

Available at 10/1 in early shows, the six-year-old chestnut eventually went off the 4/1 favourite in the colours of owners SoftCo.

Settled behind the leaders by Jordan Gainford, he took closer order from three out and improved to lead before next.

He was pressed as they bypassed the last but found more under pressure in the closing stages, going on to score by a length-and-a-half. Memory Tree (15/2) finished second under Mike O'Connor for Henry de Bromhead, while Smitty Bacall (11/1) ran on well to take third, another two-and-a-half lengths back under Sean Flanagan for Shay Barry.

Nolan, who was earlier on the mark with Dympnas Well said: "That's a nice double and I'm delighted with his performance. He won a maiden hurdle on his first start and hadn't won since.

"We were trying him out at different trips and he didn't seem to stay on softer ground. He stopped a couple of times when it looked like he was travelling very well.

"Three miles on that ground is what he wants. He stays all day and hopefully he won’t go up too much for that, Jordan's claim has put him down to a very light weight today.

"He is not over big but he is sound and jumps well. We will see what he will develop into."