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Mark Nunan

Mark Nunan

Numerian turns over odds-on Sir Dragonet

Mon 23rd Mar 2020, 16:27

Numerian and Declan McDonoghh land the Devoy StakesNumerian and Declan McDonoghh land the Devoy Stakes
© Photo Healy Racing

8/15 fav Sir Dragonet had every chance racing towards the final furlong in the Listed Devoy Stakes, but seemed to get tired from that point as 15/2 chance Numerian raced past him for a two and three quarter lengths success. Halimi was a further three parts of a length away in third.

The Joseph O'Brien-trained winner, a gelded son of Holy Roman Emperor, was a little keen early on before settling behind the leaders from halfway. Despite getting bumped over a furlong out, Declan McDonogh’s mount picked up well to record a first Stakes victory.

Twice a winner at Dundalk, he had smart placed form in Premier Handicaps on turf last term before finishing with a narrow defeat in Group Three company back on the polytrack.

Assistant trainer Brendan Powell commented afterwards:

“It was a nice performance, he did it well.

“Declan said he was a little bit on it early on but they quickened up a long way out and he just sat and waited.

“He stays well and he's tough. He seems to have improved again and he's a fine big horse.

“I wouldn't have said it was his ideal ground but he galloped away and seems to go on most ground.

“It was a nice performance first time out and you'd think he can only improve from it. I think he'll improve in every way and hopefully he could turn into a nice group horse.

“He looks the finished article this year compared to last year.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson

1st
15/2
Tote €7.70 €2.80
2nd
2.75L
8/15Fav
€1.02
3rd
0.75L
13/2
4th
1.5L
14/1
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.