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Mark Nunan

Mark Nunan

Ivy Avenue not just a mudlark

Fri 23rd Apr 2021, 15:54

Ivy Avenue points her toe to win for Luke McAteer Ivy Avenue points her toe to win for Luke McAteer
© Photo Healy Racing

Never far from the pace on the inside, Ivy Avenue (7/1) landed the CorkRacecourse.ie Apprentice Handicap in the hands of Luke McAteer.

The daughter of Ivawood, twice a winner over a mile on softer ground last year, challenged from over a furlong out and got the better of a good tussle with Na Caith Tobac (11/1) by half a length.

The 13/8 favourite Morph Speed a winner earlier in the week at Tipperary, was dropped in off a relatively sedate gallop and made up plenty of ground in the straight to finish a never nearer third.

The winner is trained by Jim Bolger for long-time patrons of the yard Patricia and Colm O’Rourke.

Winning rider Luke McAteer commented: “She did it well. I broke smart and got a nice position on the rail and it was fairly simple from there and we got in a battle with Paul Flynn's horse (runner-up Na Caith Tobac).

"It was her first time on ground as quick as that and it didn't bother her. She is four now so you'd like to think there is improvement in her."

Quotes from Thomas Weekes

1st
7/1
Tote €7.00 €1.80
2nd
0.5L
11/1
€4.30
3rd
0.75L
13/8Fav
€1.10
4th
3L
66/1
About Mark Nunan
Mark has followed racing since he was a teenager and worked for many years as a broadcaster with the Irish version of Racecall. He joined the Press Association in 2019 and is also a contributor to the Racing Post. A native of Kildare, he now lives in Sligo.