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Mark Nunan

Mark Nunan

Perfect start over hurdles for Charlie Mullins

Fri 22nd Oct 2021, 15:15

Dads Lad and Charlie Mullins (left) beat Patricks Hill 
Dads Lad and Charlie Mullins (left) beat Patricks Hill
© Photo Healy Racing

The John Thomas McNamara Series QR Maiden Hurdle went to the 5/2 favourite Dads Lad who gave Willie Mullins a double on the card after Ciel De Neige in the opener.

Placed in four bumpers and runner-up on his hurdling debut at Downpatrick, the 6-year-old wasn’t foot perfect over the obstacles but came through to lead after the last and stayed on well to beat Patricks Hill by a length and three quarters.

It was a fifth winner for 17-year-old Charlie Mullins who was also victorious in the first leg of this eight-race series at Clonmel last month when winning a Flat handicap on his father Tom’s Excelsius.

The winning rider remarked: "He travelled a bit keen at the start. I sat in behind the leaders and he picked up lovely for me.

“I’d say he’d even want a bit further. He was fine on the ground, he prefers it soft.

“That was my first ride over hurdles and thanks to Willie for giving me the opportunity”

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.