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Mark Nunan

Mark Nunan

Ma Hoey springs a 40/1 surprise on the 'Hill'

Wed 24th Apr 2024, 20:07

Ma Hoey (orange) capitalises on a terrible blunder from Get It Right  Ma Hoey (orange) capitalises on a terrible blunder from Get It Right
© Photo Healy Racing

The David McKeown A1 Generators Handicap Hurdle produced a dramatic finish with 40/1 outsider Ma Hoey gaining victory under Gary Noonan.

Trained for Sean Maguire by Eoin McCarthy, the daughter of Mahler raced close to the pace and moved past front-running favourite O’Faolains Glory after the second-last. Get It Right covered the move on the outer and headed Ma Hoey narrowly approaching the last only to make a shocking blunder at that final obstacle. That left Ma Hoey in front and she stayed on well to beat O’Faolains Glory by two lengths with Get it Right forced to settle for third.

With McCarthy on lead-up duties, Noonan commented: "That's it, yes (they are there to be jumped) - it would have been a good race if the horse upsides going down to the last stayed standing.

"She was idling a bit up the straight and I think she had a little bit up her sleeve, so I wasn't overly worried.

"She couldn't really handle the heavy ground - better ground and 2m4f and got away nice and cheekpieces on.

"I just think in behind horses she wasn't going forward. Out in front today, I think we just saw the best of her."

Quotes from Michael Graham

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.