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Mark Nunan

Mark Nunan

Mountain Fox scales new heights for Frank Oakes

Mon 14th Jun 2021, 18:02

Mountain Fox with Frank and Carmel Oakes 
Mountain Fox with Frank and Carmel Oakes
© Photo Healy Racing

Plenty held a chance as the runners fanned out right across the track with two furlongs to race in the Irish Injured Jockeys Fund Handicap (45-65), but in the end Mountain Fox (17/2) came clear on the stands’ side rail.

A grand servant to owner/trainer Frank Oakes, the Fast Company gelding scored by four and a quarter lengths in the hands of Nathan Crosse, with 50/1 chance Talsara taking second place.

It was a second win on the Flat for the 8-year-old, who had shown a liking for this track in the past with many good placed efforts here.

“He's great and I wish I had a few more, he's the only one I have at the minute, said a delighted Oakes.

“He worked on Wednesday, Ricky Doyle rode him over seven furlongs and he said 'he'll nearly win for you on Monday'.

“I said 'that'll do'. I was going to ride him myself but I said I'd get Ricky's opinion as he won on him over hurdles.

“That was to be his last Flat race as he was going jumping, he's a super leaper and he's crying out for a distance — two or two-and-a-half miles.

“That might change a bit now! It depends on what the handicapper does now, that's the problem as he only dropped him 4lb in four years. He's only a pony.

“I ride him out every day myself except on the weekends when my daughter Wendy rides him. I do everything, put the shoes on him, bring him everywhere but sure what else would I be doing at my age?

“I turned 80 the other day, that's all. I'm a young 80.”

Quotes from Gary Carson

1st
17/2
Tote €10.20 €1.60
2nd
4.25L
50/1
€15.40
3rd
nk
12/1
€3.20
4th
nk
50/1
€11.40
bf
nk
5/2Fav
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.