"Tough" Dunum makes it four in a row for Lupini

Dunum is proving to be an absolute credit to trainer Natalia Lupini as he won his fourth handicap in a row when plundering race six at Galway this evening.

He switched to Lupini and started his winning run off a mark of 58 at Gowran Park in May. Further victories were snaffled in Gowran and the Curragh which saw him race off 75 today. He dropped back in trip to seven furlongs but it made no difference as he was still the toughest at the business end.

Top-weight Shawaamekh raced prominently and picked up the lead after a couple of furlongs. The 5/1 favourite Dunum began to take closer order in mid-division coming to the three pole.

Dunum really picked up the chase approaching the straight and got to grips with Shawaamekh inside the final furlong.

He boxed on well in the final 100 yards to prevail by half a length from the game Shawaamekh (15/2). Loingseoir ran a remarkable race as he was stone last of the 16 runners and slightly detached in the early stages. From that unpromising position, Jack Cleary weaved a passage through in the straight to finish third at 16/1, beaten a length and a quarter by the winner. Excusio Joe (25/1) didn't have the best of luck but gave his backers a dividend in fourth.

Jockey Wayne Lordan, who has been on board for all four victories, said: “He's a very tough, consistent horse. Natalia and her partner Craig are doing a fantastic job with this horse.

“He's won from two very bad draws in Gowran but around Galway (in stall 18) it's even harder because the pace is on.

“He jumps and travels so easy in his races. When you go for him he picks up and he's with you all the way.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson