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Mark Nunan

Mark Nunan

Angel Girl strikes for Murtagh & Coen

Mon 21st Feb 2022, 16:40

Angel Girl and Ben Coen with groom Abbi Williams  Angel Girl and Ben Coen with groom Abbi Williams
© Photo Healy Racing

The 9/4 favourite Angel Girl got up on the line to foil a major off-course gamble on debutant Ma France in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden. Hypernova made the running but was headed well inside the final furlong by the slow-starting Ma France who was backed from 50/1 in places overnight into an SP of 7/2. Denis Hogan’s newcomer was nailed in the final stride by Angel Girl who finished strongly to score by a head, with another neck back to Hypernova in third.

The Johnny Murtagh-trained winner had finished fourth on last month’s course and distance debut.

Winning rider Ben Coen said: “She jumped smart and probably sharpened up a bit from the last day. When the race was cancelled (on Friday) we were drawn ten and we got put out another three (drawn 13) so she has actually done well.

“She’s a good hardy, honest filly and it’s nice to get a maiden win into her. I’d say she will stay seven and hopefully she keeps going in the right direction.”

AM & MN

1st
9/4Fav
Tote €3.25 €1.10
2nd
hd
7/2
€2.20
3rd
nk
5/2
€1.40
4th
1L
22/1
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.