Hood works a dream on Nam Nam, in a first-time hood, popped up at odds of 28/1 in the Carnbeg Hotel & Spa Handicap at Dundalk. Niall McCullagh did the steering on this son of Sixties Icon for Tom and Helen Mullins. A home-bred, the outsider came from towards the back, leading in the last fifty yards to beat Eacharn by a neck. "The last night he ran I had a disaster. I brought three up here and he was one of them. He's not really an apprentice ride as he can pull very hard," acknowledged Tom Mullins. He added: "The hood worked a dream on him, and Niall gave him a lovely ride. We'll come back here again." R.P. Cleary, rider of Alfirak (GB) trained by Damian Joseph English, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount ran short of room in the closing stages of this race. The Stewards requested a report from Thomas Mullins, trainer, as to the apparent improvement in form of Nam, placed first, as compared with its previous run. The trainer reported that his charge was slowly away on his previous run and struck the running rail, which he felt may have spooked him. He further added that his charge can be a difficult ride and felt the first time application of a hood on this occasion had helped to bring about the apparent improvement in form. Having considered the report, the Stewards noted the explanation offered. Anthony McCann, trainer of Lydia's Joy, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his charge scoped badly post race. (AM & EM)
