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Mark Nunan

Mark Nunan

Earls 'a different horse' without blinkers

Mon 29th Aug 2022, 18:27

Earls (near side) collars Dragon Of Malta Earls (near side) collars Dragon Of Malta
© Photo Healy Racing

The RoscommonRacecourse.ie Handicap saw 9/4 favourite Earls follow up his course and distance victory of a fortnight ago from a 4lb higher mark.

The Dream Ahead gelding was driven along in fifth entering the straight but began to pick up well for Gary Carroll approaching the final furlong and collared Dragon Of Malta close home to score by a neck. Drombeg Duke was another two and a half lengths away in third.

The winner has raced without blinkers on his last two runs and winning trainer Gavin Cromwell said of the change in approach: “He's a different horse altogether, you can ride a race on him and he relaxes.

“When the gap opened he rallied well and just got there, it was ideal. He only won so hopefully the handicapper isn't too hard on him.

“The way he is relaxing now you'd think he'd get a mile. We'll look for something similar again.”

Quotes from Gary Carson

1st
9/4Fav
Tote €3.25 €1.10
2nd
nk
22/1
€4.80
3rd
2.5L
10/1
€3.10
4th
0.5L
25/1
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.