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Mark Nunan

Mark Nunan

Torrens doubles up as Howard's luck changes

Tue 31st May 2022, 20:04

The grey Birdie Blitz stays on well
The grey Birdie Blitz stays on well
© Photo Healy Racing

Trainer Aidan Howard has been having a luckless run with lots of his runners in recent weeks but Birdie Blitz gave the Curragh handler a deserved victory in the www.McHale.net Handicap Hurdle.

The grey daughter of Milan, a winner at Fairyhouse a couple of years ago and stepping up in trip after finishing fourth at Kilbeggan last month, tracked the leaders before moving into third on the run to the last. She led early on the run-in and had no stamina frailties as she kept on well to beat Double Jubilee and Not So Simple by five lengths and a neck.

It was a double for jockey Simon Torrens after Sole Pretender in the beginners’ chase.

“It’s nice to get a double but I’m more delighted for Aidan. I’ve been based with Aidan for a long time and we’ve been hitting the crossbar all season. I think he’s had something like thirteen seconds so it’s great to get one on the board for him.”

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.