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Mark Nunan

Mark Nunan

Donkey Years wins easily on debut for Eric and Conor McNamara

Sun 8th Dec 2019, 14:26

Donkey Years made an impressive winning debut at CorkDonkey Years made an impressive winning debut at Cork
© Photo Healy Racing

Racecourse debutant Donkey Years (50s into 33/1 on course) was an easy seven length winner of the Charleville Cheese Maiden Hurdle with the 6/4 favourite Fag An Bealach in second place. Tecumseh Sherman (10/3) was three quarters of a length further back in third place.

The winner took over at the head of affairs jumping three out, and it was straightforward from that point on for Conor McNamara’s mount.

A five-year-old son of Robin Des Champs who cost 55,000 Euros as a foal at Tattersalls, Donkey Years is a half-brother to bumper and hurdles winner Simon Squirrel who was a fair type for Paul Nicholls a couple of years ago.

"it was a good performance and he did it well, said winning trainer Eric McNamara.

"We liked him a lot and while we didn't think he'd do that, he was showing us a lot at home and we like him.

"His dam is a sister to Rock On Ruby so is obviously well bred and he jumped great and travelled well and hopefully he has a future.

"He must have had niggly problems as he is a five year old going on six but I only have him for four or five months and he is a fine big good looking horse and is a good horse.

"I don't know where we go next but we'll find a winners' race for him somewhere. It is nice to have a nice horse."

Additional reporting by 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.