Ballinrobe abandoned after rain

Last evening's Ballinrobe meeting was abandoned after just one race. The eight-race card was called off after a 30-minute spell of torrential rain left the course unraceable.

A deputation of three jockeys - Declan McDonogh, who won the opening maiden aboard Candy Kiss, Fran Berry and Pat Smullen - and trainer Edward Lynam approached the stewards after the first race.

After liaising with Lynam and the jockeys, the Ballinrobe officials abandoned the meeting in the interests of safety.

Meanwhile, Paul Nolan's promising youngster Cuan Na Grai will bid to provide his trainer with a second victory in three years in the Galway Hurdle.

Nolan enjoyed a famous success when sending Cloone River out to land the valuable contest in 2004 and hopes his charge can follow suit next Thursday.

Having got off the mark at Wexford in May, the five-year-old followed up at the same venue before landing his hat-trick with a comfortable success at Limerick last time.

"He won well that day, Barry (Geraghty) just gave him a bit of a shake and a tap down the shoulder and he quickened away well," Nolan said.

"You'd have to say that he did only beat maidens and winners of one really, and he was hit with a fair hike for that - he went up from 110 to 123.

"He's jumped very well so far but with the hustle and bustle of a Galway Hurdle, I think 10 to 1 is pretty skimpy at this stage.

"But he's in good form and we're hoping for a good run.

"We were always very fond of this horse - he held entries in the Supreme Novices' and SunAlliance at one point - but he didn't handle the real heavy ground we had during the winter here.

"When he found his ground he came right into form but a mark of 123 for three summer wins is possibly a bit stiff but there's no point arguing about it."

Nolan has expressed his satisfaction at William Hill Galway Plate contender Dix Villez.

The seven-year-old is owned by Gigginstown House Stud, who are responsible for Cheltenham Gold Cup hero War Of Attrition.

Nolan now hopes Dix Villez, who won the Beginners Chase at the Galway meeting last year, can bring the owners more big-race success next Wednesday.

"He has got course-winning form which is a bonus - though it didn't turn out to be much of a race that he won last year," Nolan said.