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Mark Nunan

Mark Nunan

Well-backed 'warrior' progressing nicely

Thu 18th Nov 2021, 13:40

Churchstonewarrior (far side) challenges Idas Boy over the last Churchstonewarrior (far side) challenges Idas Boy over the last
© Photo Healy Racing

Available at 4/1 in places this morning, Churchstonewarrior justified 11/10 favouritism in the I.N.H. Stallion Owners EBF Novice Hurdle under a confident ride from Denis O’Regan.

Held up in touch, the Mahler gelding missed the third-last but came through to tackle market rival Idas Boy (11/8) on the run to the final flight. The 6-year-old wasn’t the most fluent at that obstacle, either, but still managed to get the better of Idas Boy by a snug half length.

It was a second victory at this venue for the winner who easily landed a bumper here in January and he was building on his maiden hurdle win at Sligo last month.

Winning trainer Jonathan Sweeney said: "It was a good performance and Denis (O'Regan) was good on him - he rode him with fierce confidence, that's the way he rides and he was very good.

"He is a lovely, improving horse and is coming forward the whole time. I still think it'll be another year before he is a proper horse.

"Today's race was a grand race to progress and we'll see what's coming up. We might wait for the Dorans Pride novice hurdle at Limerick over Christmas."

Quotes from Thomas Weekes

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.