Nolan & Staples strike at Down Royal Having been runner-up at Naas on his first start out of maiden company, Only For Our Man (15/8 fav) went one place better in Down Royal's Fast As Fibrus Broadband Novice Handicap Hurdle. Eoin Staples, gunning for the conditional riders' title, produced his mount to lead before two out in the two miles-six furlong contest. Dark Lieutenant stayed on to give chase down to the last and had closed the gap to a couple of lengths when blundering and unseating Danny Mullins, leaving the winner clear to post a seven-length victory over the always-prominent Hitthehayson. The Yeats six-year-old is trained for Patrick Carberry by Paul Nolan. "I was probably there plenty soon, but I had so much horse under me that I thought if I let them come to me, I mightn't be able to pick up," said Staples. "I kind of parked a bit in front, but at the back of the last he dug deep and ground it out. "I think he would have found more if joined after the last - he wasn't doing a tap in front, his ears were flicking. He gave the last plenty of air and hopefully there is improvement in him now as well. "I'm sure it will be a novice handicap somewhere next. "Definitely a chaser in the making, he jumps brilliantly and has lots of scope." Additional reporting by Michael Graham
