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Mark Nunan

Mark Nunan

Lee doubles up on Oliver's Apercu

Thu 17th Oct 2024, 16:41

Apercu (left) and Fleetfoot fight out the finishApercu (left) and Fleetfoot fight out the finish
© Photo Healy Racing

Successful earlier on Natalia Lupini's Thebelmontgangster Billy Lee teamed up with another northern trainer to complete his double when Apercu (15/8 fav) clung on for victory in the TRM - Excellence In Equine Nutrition Handicap.

Andy Oliver 's daughter of Elzaam, owned by Team Valor International LLC, was dropping in class after finishing mid-division in the valuable Northfields Handicap over course and distance last month.

Soon second in the six-runner contest, Lee brought the four-year-old to the front over two furlongs out but Chris Hayes covered the move on Fleetfoot who threw down a strong challenge in the closing stages.

The two horses passed the post locked together but the photo-finish showed that Apercu had prevailed by a nose.

Lee reported: “When Chris came to me she found again. I thought I was beat, to be honest, on the line. 

“When we pulled up Chris said 'did I get you?' and I said that he did, so he wasn't happy when the result was called! 

“It's great, she's a very straightforward mare and she's done well to win, that's her second this year. 

“It's slow ground but I always found that she'll go on any ground, it's just coincidence that's she's won twice on slow ground. I think she'll be grand on good ground again.” 

When asked about the application of first-time blinkers, he added:-“She can race a little lazily and find a flat spot. I think in Naas she did that and still managed to win, she was just probably on the right side of the handicapper that day. 

“Today she needed them. Everything fell into place nicely and she got the job done. 

“Andy will be delighted. He's working away hard at the sales and I think he's bought plenty of new stock for next year.”

The winner is entered tomorrow night at Dundalk:- “He originally declared her just in case this turned up very heavy. You wouldn't know with Andy!” 

Quotes from Gary Carson

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.