Two Pair another for in-form Nolan Two Pair provided Paul Nolan with his fifth success in little over a week, as she led home 15 rivals in the William Hill Challenge Series Maiden Hurdle. A race restricted to horses with at least three runs over hurdles and rated 110 or less, the Cathy Byrne-owned victor was returned at 15/2. Nicely positioned behind the leaders under Sean Flanagan, the 107-rated bay took closer order from four out and improved into a share of the lead approaching the last. Ridden away from that final flight and engaged in a tussle with Kasper Hauser, she ultimately outstayed her aforementioned rival in the closing stages, with a length-and-a-quarter between them at the line. From 20s early, the runner-up was returned at just 8/1, with Laxxio (18/1) finishing another four-and-a-quarter lengths away in third. Returned the 9/2 favourite (from 6s), Glenrush Bay was fourth for the double seeking pair of Gavin Cromwell and Keith Donoghue. "She had that bit of winter form and that race that she was second in on the same ground in Clonmel worked out a decent sort of a race, so we gave her a little bit of a break and brought her back for this sort of nicer ground," Nolan reflected. "We thought maybe that the two miles here might be a bit sharp for her, but she travelled well and she jumped well and I was just delighted with the way she kept at it because she is a big, weak filly. "I'd say she is definitely a mare that appreciates that better ground I'd say from weakness even alone. Maybe it is that she genuinely wants that ground. "We'll keep her going now anyway, and I'd say she has the scope and the size to jump a fence as well." Additional reporting by Michael Graham
