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Mark Nunan

Mark Nunan

Very Excellent a very appropriate winner for McNamara

Fri 12th Nov 2021, 19:10

Very Excellent (right) stays on well under Jake Coen Very Excellent (right) stays on well under Jake Coen
© Photo Healy Racing

Just over a week since the sad passing of his father and namesake, Andrew (Andy) McNamara saddled Very Excellent (5/1) to win the View Restaurant @ Dundalk Maiden.

The Casamento gelding, a winner over hurdles at Bellewstown last year, raced in second under talented 7lb claimer Jake Coen before being sent on two furlongs out and he stayed on well to beat Elzaamsan (5/2) and the 13/8 favourite Faron by a length and a half and the same.

After sending out a most appropriate winner, winning trainer McNamara remarked: “He started off here a few years ago and had a few nice runs. It’s the first time we’ve brought him back since.

“He won over hurdles but then got injured soon afterwards. He ran a couple of nice races this year but didn’t get his head in front so it’s nice to get him off the mark on the Flat.

“There are plenty of options for him. He can always come back here again and we may leave hurdling until the spring time. He wouldn’t want it heavy.”

Quotes from Alan Magee

1st
5/1
Tote €6.00 €1.70
2nd
1.5L
5/2
€1.70
3rd
1.5L
13/8Fav
€1.20
4th
4.5L
200/1
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.