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Mark Nunan

Mark Nunan

Getaway Glenda scores at 66/1

Sat 25th Jul 2020, 19:01

Getaway Glenda (green) and Darragh O'Keeffe come through to beat Sani Pass (left)Getaway Glenda (green) and Darragh O'Keeffe come through to beat Sani Pass (left)
© Photo Healy Racing

Getaway Glenda was a shock 66/1 winner of the Sobac Soil.ie Mares’ Maiden Hurdle in the hands of replacement rider Darragh O’Keeffe.

Sean Flanagan didn’t take up his rides at the meeting after a fall at Cork on Friday evening, and missed a winner here as O’Keeffe produced his mare to lead after the last and beat long-time leader Sani Pass by a length.

The 6/4 favourite Escort’namix still had a chance when getting the last wrong, and she could only keep on at one pace in third.

There was nothing in the winner’s previous runs in point-to-points and two starts over hurdles to suggest this victory was on the cards, but she found the required improvement to win cosily.

Winning trainer Denise O'Shea said: "It was surprise. She is a nice mare and worked like a nice mare at home but I just thought she wasn't experienced enough.

She is not overly big and it's great for her owner (Gerard O'Leary). We've been friends since we were kids and I had I Keano for him as well.

Unfortunately we lost I Keano after he broke his shoulder at Kilbeggan but it's great that we've had another winner together now.

"It's unfortunate for Sean (Flanagan) who had a fall at Cork yesterday. Darragh (O'Keeffe) is a great lad and I'm delighted to be able to provide him with a winner."

Additional reporting by Donal Murphy

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.