Nolans Rocco shades a thrilling finish Nolans Rocco just held on from strong-finishing Snow Punt for trainer Padraig Butler at the end of an extended two-miles-six-furlongs in the Party Time Handicap Steeplechase at Limerick. She got the better of challenger Ishan over two out and the last, but was far from home. The seven-year-old mare edged left across the run-in and Snow Punt, who was staying on in third after the last, really served it up to her in second in the closing stages with the pair track-width apart. The decision went to the judge as the they flashed past the post and it was Nolans Rocco who got the verdict by a nose at 5/1 over the 14/1 second. Ishan, the 11/8 favourite, had no more to give in third in the latter stages. Michael Kenneally said: "She was honest the whole way around, gave me a lovely spin and she jumped great. "She was hanging a small bit turning into the home straight but, over the last two fences, she was brave." Additional reporting by Tom Weekes
