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Mark Nunan

Mark Nunan

Odds-on Franco De Port makes winning start over fences

Thu 26th Nov 2020, 12:48

Franco De Port and Paul Townend  jump the last ahead of WhatsnottoknowFranco De Port and Paul Townend jump the last ahead of Whatsnottoknow
© Photo Healy Racing

The 8/15 favourite Franco De Port made a winning start over fences in the Killinan Beginners’ Chase.

The Coastal Path gelding was never far off the pace and got to the front before the final fence, passing the post six and a half lengths to the good over Whatsnottoknow(7/1), with Front View (7/2) back in third place.

The Willie Mullins-trained 5-year-old won two of his five starts over hurdles and this was his first start since being pulled up at Cheltenham in March.

“He is nimble and is a good jumper,” said winning rider Paul Townend.

“He pulled too hard in the Coral Cup and we put a line through that and maybe fences will bring about an improvement in him.

"He is not an over-big horse but is very sure of his feet and that is a big help around here especially."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes

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.