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Mark Nunan

Mark Nunan

Not exactly smooth but Tom gets it done

Sat 20th Aug 2022, 17:49

Smooth Tom is in command  Smooth Tom is in command
© Photo Healy Racing

The 11/8 favourite Smooth Tom won the William Fry Neville O´Byrne Tribute Maiden for father and son team Andy and Andrew Slattery.

A fast-finishing second over a mile at Galway, the Elzaam gelding was off the bridle approaching the straight but picked up well once in the clear two furlongs out. In front over a furlong out, he was strong at the finish as he accounted for Astelia and Fleet Commander by a length and a quartet and half a length.

Winning trainer Andy Slattery, also on the mark at Killarney with chase winner Whosgotyanow said: “I had him in the Northfields (Premier Handicap here on September 11) and wanted to see would he stay a mile and a quarter.

“He’s still very raw and I think he’s going to be a very nice four-year-old. He’s honest and consistent but just a little bit backward.

“He’s learning on the job and it’s grand to win with him but whatever happens we’ll have a nice horse next year.”

Quotes from Alan Magee

1st
11/8Fav
Tote €2.40 €1.10
2nd
1.25L
40/1
€6.60
3rd
0.5L
13/2
€2.30
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.