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Mark Nunan

Mark Nunan

Hopefully gives Mullins and Townend doubles at Tramore

Thu 15th Oct 2020, 15:42

Hopefully and Paul Townend lead eventual third Tiantu over the lastHopefully and Paul Townend lead eventual third Tiantu over the last
© Photo Healy Racing

The Tramore Racecourse On Instagram Handicap Hurdle went to 10/3 joint favourite Hopefully who completed a quick double for Paul Townend after he’d won on Wearapinkribbon in the previous contest.

Townend charted a wide course on his mount in search of slightly better ground and the Beat Hollow mare led two out.

She went on to score by four and a half lengths from the staying-on Courtin BB (40/1) with the other 10/3 joint favourite Tiantu half a length further back in third.

The 90-rated winner had been twice placed previously over hurdles and, bred by owner Joe Keeling, she’s a half-sister to four winners.

Winning trainer Willie Mullins was also completing a double and said: “Eventually she got there. She put in a nice run down in Listowel but it has taken her a long time to come right and get handicapped and get her jumping together.

"She put it all together today and the cheek-pieces just helped her.

"We went three miles with her before and we came back from that, so two and a half to two mile five seems to be her optimum trip at the moment.

"She'll mature and get stronger and probably stay further in time. She is probably not going to be a winter mare but we will probably have next summer with her."

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.