Nicky Larson impresses in Ballinrobe opener The Paul Nolan-trained Nicky Larson (4/1) was an impressive winner of the CJ Sheeran Ltd 3 Y-O Maiden Hurdle at Ballinrobe for jockey Sean Flanagan. The three-year-old son of Galiway was third on his opening start over hurdles, where he was strong in the market that day and kept on well, and he used that experience to his advantage today with an impressive performance. He travelled well throughout the contest and eyeballed the eventual second, Minella Buoy, after the final flight before asserting to win by a comfortable five and a half lengths. Speaking after the race rider Sean Flanagan said "Sean O'Keeffe, who's unfortunately out injured at the moment, rode him in Limerick and said he would come forward from that run, and James and Paul (Nolan) were adamant that he would as well. "These juveniles can be messy if they don't go much pace, but he had the experience and jumped well. He loved the ground, but his wind seems good enough and he'll handle 'summer soft' ground as well. "He jumped roadways out there, so he still has a bit to learn and will be trained to come forward with racing. He has the option of going back to the Flat, where he could be one for a competitive handicap." (Quotes from Mark Nunan)
