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Mark Nunan

Mark Nunan

Harrington & Foley strike in day three opener

Wed 2nd Aug 2023, 17:41

Lan Cinnte (far side) just holds on to beat Malbay Madness  Lan Cinnte (far side) just holds on to beat Malbay Madness
© Photo Healy Racing

The 5/4 favourite Lan Cinnte just held on in a driving finish to land the Download The Tote App Handicap for Jessica Harrington and Shane Foley.

Only six lined up but the start was a messy one with Semblance Of Order refusing to race for the second time in a row and Duke Of Leggagh veering left from stalls and hampering his other four rivals to varying degrees.

Having been held up in touch, Lan Cinnte was sent to the front rounding the home turn and soon went on but Malbay Madness who had been trapped on the rail and had to switch out for his run in the dip, finished with a rattle and was just a short head adrift at the line.

Foley told RTE: "I got mashed out of the stalls, Gary's horse (Duke Of Leggagh) jumped badly left, and I wanted to just keep her in a nice position. The leaders stopped in front and she picked up better than I expected, so I ended up getting there too soon as she's bone idle.

"She enjoys that slow ground and that's a nice trip for her.

"She ran well against the older horses last time at Leopardstown and Mr Weld's horse (Coeur D'or) franked the form last night, he was just in front of her. It was a good run on probably a little bit tighter ground than ideal. She seems to enjoy that soft ground and is a filly we always loved as a two-year-old. She's only showing us now what she showed us early last year.

"We've had two winners so far this week and probably should have had another one last night but that's Galway for you.

"Jessie is a phenomenal woman but there's a big team behind her and everybody rolls in and helps. It's great to see her here today."

Harrington added: “It was a little bit tense in the last few strides. She's a filly that doesn't do a whole lot when she gets to the front,” said Harrington.

“As soon as she felt the horse beside her she put her head down again.

“The Brosnans are terrific breeders and great supporters. She's a grand filly, she's tough and hardy and she's very consistent.

“She's getting there and I have actually pencilled her in for the Hurry Harriet, which has been moved to the Curragh, on Sunday week. That could be a possibility.”

Quotes from Gary Carson

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.