SANDOR Clegane provided Paul Nolan with a welcome change of luck as he cruised to victory in the Connolly’s Red Mills Irish EBF Auction Maiden Hurdle which served notice that he will be ready to tackle much better company in the coming weeks.

The talented five-year-old, who chased home Facile Vega at the Dublin Racing Festival in February, was all the better for his debut second over hurdles at Galway and seemed to revel in the step up to just short of two and three quarter miles. Through the race Sean O’Keeffe’s mount did everything right and from before two out the 15/8 chance looked to have the favourite Demandrivingdouvan covered. Indeed, Sandor Clegane powered away on the bridle from the turn-in to eventually reach the line a dozen lengths clear of Bleu D’enfer.