McNamara happy to take more time with Donkey Years Eric McNamara will stay patient with Donkey Years after the six-year-old’s surprise winning debut over hurdles at Cork. The County Limerick trainer sees Donkey Years as a long-term prospect, who will go chasing next season. JP McManus’ gelding was a 33-1 outsider in a 24-runner maiden hurdle on his racecourse bow a month ago, but spreadeagled his rivals — coming home seven lengths clear of 6-4 favourite Fag An Bealach. He sustained a small cut during the race, but that has quickly healed. McNamara said: “It wasn’t really a surprise, because we’ve liked him — but if you’d have asked before the race if he would win I’d have said ‘I don’t think so’. “He got a bit of a cut, but it was nothing serious. He’s fine. “We’re going to give him a bit of time. There’s no rush with him. “He’s a nice horse, so we will take our time with him. He’ll make into a fine chaser next season.”
