Nolan making plans for Quamino and Latest Exhibition Paul Nolan is putting a line through the run of Quamino in the Close Brothers Novices’ Handicap Chase at Cheltenham due to the unsuitably soft ground. The chestnut gelding headed into the race in winning form after victory in a valuable contest at the Dublin Racing Festival. He was sent off a 25-1 shot for the Cheltenham feature and never figured, pulling up before the second-last. “He came out of it fine and had no race at all really. When the rain came it dampened his chances a good bit and he never really got into the race,” said Nolan. “There was no point taking risks at the second-last or last to finish eighth or ninth. Bryan (Cooper) just pulled him up. “I wouldn’t take much notice of that run. He’ll continue in novice handicap company. “Ratings-wise he’s on the verge of taking on some of the novices at level weights in a Grade Three or Grade Two. Other than that we’ll be sticking to the better handicaps.” Nolan is hoping to get Latest Exhibition back on the track this season after he was forced to miss Cheltenham due to a foot infection. The Champion Bumper was on the cards for Oscar gelding after his victory at Naas in late January. Unfortunately that plan had to be abandoned and Nolan is hoping he can now make the festival meetings at Fairyhouse or Punchestown. “He just got an infection in a foot and we’ll have to see how quick we can get rid of that,” said Nolan. “It was a deep-seated infection and and that just knocked him out of Cheltenham for us. “We gave him a little bit of a break. We’ll make up our mind very shortly about him. “Hopefully we can get him back for Fairyhouse or Punchestown.”
