Trainer Paul Nolan patient handling of his former Galway Hurdle winner and brittle Cuan Na Grai has reaped rewards, with the gelding recording his eighth career success when taking the Supermacs Drivs Thru Hurdle at Limerick today.

Ridden by Alain Cawley, the 4/5f raced prominently,led from four out, and eventually ran out the comfortable four and a half lengths winner over Blazing Tempo

Afterwards Nolan reported “hopefully Cuan Na Grai stays sound during the summer for us now as he has had tendon trouble in the past and shattered his pelvis when brought down in the '09 Galway Hurdle.”

“We'll stick to the conditions hurdles and chases next; he is rated 139 over fences and may have too much weight for the Galway Plate but we'll definitely have to think about it too.”

He added “the ground-staff deserve credit for today's ground as it is lovely and safe with no 'jar' in it whatsoever.”