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Mark Nunan

Mark Nunan

First Irish victory for Coolnacritta

Sat 9th Oct 2021, 17:26

Coolnacritta and Richie Deegan Coolnacritta and Richie Deegan
© Photo Healy Racing

The 5/4 favourite Coolnacritta won the first division of the Book Your Tickets For The Winter Festival Handicap Hurdle under 5lb claimer Richie Deegan.

The Windsor Knot gelding, a winner at Hexham in June when trained in Britain by Neil Mechie, tracked the leaders before being sent to the front entering the straight with two to jump.

The 6-year-old stayed on well from that point to account for Paddy Wickla by three lengths.

The chestnut was making his second start for winning trainer Mark Fahey who said: “He’s been very straightforward since I got him and we learned a bit about him when he ran in Limerick (second) the last day.

“It wasn’t the strongest of races today and that’s his level. Richie (Deegan) gave him a great ride.

“He’s entered up in Tramore on Thursday. We’ll see how he is and he might go down there. He wants good ground.”

Quotes from Alan Magee

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.