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Mark Nunan

Mark Nunan

Night Sparkle shines for O'Callaghan

Tue 23rd May 2023, 17:04

Night SparkleNight Sparkle
© Photo Healy Racing

Night Sparkle (5/4) took the Summer In Town BBQ & Live Sports Weekend June 10th & 11th Maiden Hurdle for Michael O'Callaghan and Danny Mullins.

The daughter of Postponed, a winner over 1m6f last year when trained in Britain and third on hurdling debut at Naas in March, raced in second before coming through to lead after two out where 6/5 favourite Boher Road beginning to struggle at the time, unseated rider.

The winner was pursued down to the last by Mister Wilson but kept on well to see off that one by three lengths.

“We picked her up at the Horses In Training Sale last autumn and she’s won well enough," said O'Callaghan.

“Danny was happy with her and said she has grown up a lot. She missed the last the first day in Naas and bar that I think she nearly would have won. We pitched her in at the deep end here the last day just to teach her a bit.

“She’s learned and she relaxed there for Danny. He wouldn’t be afraid to step her up to two and a half miles and she’ll be good and hardy now to go back on the Flat. We have plenty of options with her.

“Danny said she just idled a bit and fiddled the last.”

Quotes from Alan Magee

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.