Harwa looks a useful recruit for Nolan

Harwa showed a lovely turn on foot to win the BetVictor Still Best Odds Guaranteed Maiden Hurdle on Irish debut at Fairyhouse.

The four-year-old gelding had shown ability in his native France and was defensively priced by the bookmakers at 10/3 behind 2/5 favourite Springhill Warrior

The favourite was hard driven to close on front-running Lincoln Du Seuil two out as Harwa was noted making steady headway behind in third.

Harwa cut the gap right down between the final two flights and travelled strongly for Sean Flanagan to lead just before the last. He jumped it well and soon moved clear on the run-in to win well by eight and a-half lengths. Springhill Warrior had to settle for second, some five-and-a-half lengths clear of Lincoln Du Seuil (6/1).

Paul Nolan said: “He was a 50 grand purchase a couple of months ago in France and he doesn’t look too bad now at that.

“He needed a third run to qualify for the Boodles. We only have him a couple of months, he worked well the other day in his first real piece of work since getting him.

“We were hoping he’d run a nice race and if he got into the Boodles it would be great. I don’t know where we’ll stand now, we’ll see what kind of mark we get.

“He’s a forward type. He’s by Saint des Saints and would love that ground.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson