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Mark Nunan

Mark Nunan

Enright keeps steady stream of winners flowing

Wed 2nd Jun 2021, 14:01

Staging Post and Phillip Enright (right) jump the second-last Staging Post and Phillip Enright (right) jump the second-last
© Photo Healy Racing

Staging Post sprang a 28/1 surprise in the Forth Mountain Walking Trail (C & G) Maiden Hurdl

The winner got a nice through on the inside in the home straight and stayed on well to collar The Virginian (10/3), who had got in as a reserve, by three quarters of a length.

The 4/6 favourite Luck Tenner looked held when falling at the last.

A nicely-bred son of Cape Cross, the Mark McNiff-trained 5-year-old had landed a bumper at his local track of Sligo last year and this was a big step-up from his first run over hurdles, when beaten 60 lengths at Fairyhouse back in April.

It was a first winner since September for Strandhill-based McNiff, who had a fine spell of form when racing resumed last June.

Winning rider Phillip Enright (seventh winner since returning from injury less than a fortnight ago), said: "He battled on well. He won a bumper last year and likes a bit of nice ground.

"He was a bit keen the last day so Mark said to try and get him switched off first today and creep away. I got a lovely split going to the last, he picked up well and galloped away to the line.

"Mark is a summer trainer and his horses seem to hit form this time of the year. Hopefully this fella can go on from here."

Quotes from Donal Murphy

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.