Nolan saddles Fine prospect at Naas Paul Nolan is looking forward to seeing his talented bumper performer Fine Article get his jumping career up and running at Naas on Saturday. Runner-up on his racecourse debut at Fairyhouse in February before going one better at Gowran Park, the five-year-old was thrown in at the deep end in the Champion Bumper at the Punchestown Festival but acquitted himself well to finish fourth. He steps up to two and a half miles for the Book Hospitality On Line Maiden Hurdle and will be partnered by Mikey Fogarty in what is an intriguing affair. Nolan said: "It's his first run over hurdles and I'm sure he'll improve for the run. "We haven't been able to get him away anywhere because the ground has been so good, so he might not just be sharp enough to win first time out, but we'll see. "We were delighted with his run in Punchestown. He did surprise me a bit that day as the family have tended to relish testing going and it was on the good side. "He was one of the first horses off the bridle, but he stuck to it well and I'm sure he'll be better over a longer trip. "He's a stronger horse this year and I'm looking forward to getting him started." Noel Meade's dual Fairyhouse bumper winner Owen Mc returns from the best part of two years off the track, while the Willie Mullins-trained Killer Crow is another obvious contender in a big field.
