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Sandor Clegane brings up doubles for Nolan and Staples

Sandor Clegane and Eoin Staples, leftSandor Clegane and Eoin Staples, left
© Healy Racing Photos

Paul Nolan and Eoin Staples were at the double in Down Royal when 11/10 favourite, and front-runner, Sandor Clegane held on by half a length in the Giddy Up And Switch To Fibrus Beginners Steeplechase. Meet And Greet (9/4) kept the leader more than honest on the run-in, but Sandor Clegane fended him off in the closing stages.

Eoin Staples said: "I suppose he is more than due it - he's a class horse.

"He has been frustrating for the lads, but the job was done today.

"He doesn't do a whole pile (in front), that's why the cheekpieces are on. When I needed him, he was there.

"He was (cute at the second-last), he had a right good look at it but he got away with it. Perfect at the last.

"He's a class horse, he has given the lads a couple of brilliant days out. Hopefully, this will do him the world of good.

"That's 31 winners for the season and I've had unbelievable support from various different trainers. My agent Garry Cribbin has done a fantastic job. If it wasn't for them, I wouldn't be here."

Staples and Nolan were also on the mark with Only For Our Man (15/8 favourite).

About Michael Graham
Michael has worked in horse racing journalism for more than 15 years, having also written a weekly betting column on Gaelic football and hurling for a newspaper. He is involved in writing the My Racing Story features on this website. He spent a year in South Africa completing a Diploma in Business Administration and also studied Newspaper Journalism in Belfast. He enjoys playing 5-a-side football on a regular basis.