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Mark Nunan

Mark Nunan

Mick Charlie makes the breakthrough for Queally

Sat 8th Aug 2020, 19:08

Mick Charlie and Sean O Keeffe jump the last to win the Pig 'N' Whistle New York Handicap HurdleMick Charlie and Sean O Keeffe jump the last to win the Pig 'N' Whistle New York Handicap Hurdle
© Photo Healy Racing

The Pig ‘N’ Whistle Pubs & Restaurants Handicap Hurdle was won in good style by Mick Charlie (17/2) ridden by 5lbs claimer Sean O’Keeffe.

The Mr Dinos gelding hadn’t shown all that much under Rules or in point-to-points before showing improvement when a staying-on fifth at Tramore last month.

Held up tracking the leaders, he was sent on before the last and readily came six and a half lengths clear of the 11/10 favourite In Your Shadow with Fleurys Fort just a short head further back in third.

Declan Queally, assistant to his father and winning trainer Declan Snr, said: "His owners, Thomas, Miley and John Coughlan, are very good friends of my father.

“They thought it would be a little expensive for Miley to renew his licence so they sent him down to us about ten weeks ago and if we could win a race with him it would be a bonus.

“He was a cheap horse for a thousand euro (as a three-year-old). He struggled in point-to-points but appreciated the better ground and Sean’s claim helped.

“It’s great to get that win with him.”

Additional reporting by 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.