Lirakali makes case for better things with Wexford victory Lirakali could be aimed at the Royal Bond Novice Hurdle after claiming his first victory in impressive style at Wexford. Second in a Clonmel bumper in the spring before being beaten a nose on his jumping debut at Gowran Park earlier this month, Henry de Bromhead’s five-year-old was a 2-1 shot for the William Hill Challenge Series Maiden Hurdle under Darragh O’Keeffe and pulled eight lengths clear of the chasing pack. “I’m delighted with that. He had a lovely run the first day and it looks like he’s stepped forward again, "said De Bromhead. “We had a bit of a concern about the ground, but he seemed to handle it well. There are a couple of nice novice hurdles coming up for him. Maybe the Royal Bond at Fairyhouse possibly next, but we’ll see.” Paul Nolan enjoyed a double on the card, highlighted by a tremendous one-two-three-four in the Bet With Tote On Racing &; Sports Maiden Hurdle. Having earlier landed the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Academy Hurdle with The Two Degrees (100-30), ridden by Sean Flanagan, El Bilo (33-1) led home stablemates Well Friend, Whelkeen View and Coffeemorninggirls in the Bet With Tote On Racing &; Sports Maiden Hurdle, which saw 10-11 favourite Huntin Boots refuse and smart Flat recruit Square Necker pulled up. Nolan said: “I have to say that was unexpected. I’d say that’s the first time I had the first four home and it’s great to do it at my local track. “I was a little bit disappointed with El Bilo in his bumper but then at the same time, when you look at that, he was only beaten 12 lengths and it was maybe better than it looked. “He jumped well for a horse having his first run over hurdles, he had loads of schooling done.” Ian Donoghue has the Irish Grand National as a dream long-term target for Pat’s Legacy following his 20-1 success in the William Hill Challenge Series Irish EBF Beginners Chase. “He’s a lovely big horse. He was a big raw horse last year. We just took our time with him as it took a while for the penny to drop,” said the trainer. “He’s strengthened up plenty for his break. Hopefully he’ll have a big winter ahead of him. We said he’ll need four runs for the Irish National, so that’s the first one out of the way.”
