Jim Bolger and Kevin Manning are in pretty irresistible form right now and at 14/1 Paistiul did her bit to keep the Coolcullen bandwagon rolling with success in the Racing Again 10th September Handicap at Navan.

For a level stakes investment a punter would be showing a profit from blindly backing all the Bolger or Manning horses this season.

On this occasion the frustrating to follow Arcland (9/1 into 11/2) again shaped up well to the business end.

You couldn’t really fault Harry Rogers’ representative in the battle but Manning had a very willing partner and Paistiul pulled it out for him to win by half a length.

“It was her first time stepped up to that trip. She ran over a mile-and-five in Fairyhouse and ran well, staying on in a very slow run race,” said Manning.

“That type of race today suited her better and the extra furlong was right up her street.

“She had a little bit of a break and has done well in the meantime.”

At the request of the Stewards, D.J. Hickey, rider of Border Battle trained by S.M.Duffy, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount reared up as the gates opened, causing him to injure his face and his mount missed the kick. When turning for home, D.J. Hickey felt that the field dropped back to him, his mount improved and stayed on strongly in the straight.

The Stewards requested a report from J. S. Bolger, trainer, as to the apparent improvement in form of Paistiul, placed first, as compared with its recent form. Mr. Ger Flynn, Authorised Representative for J.S. Bolger, could not offer any significant explanation for an improvement in form other than the stable has being enjoying a better run of form of late. Having considered the evidence the Stewards noted the explanation offered.

Seamus Fahey, trainer of Beat Of The Sea reported to the Clerk of Scales that his charge pulled a shoe in running.

(GC & EM)