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Mark Nunan

Mark Nunan

Perfect Pupil is top of the class

Sun 17th Mar 2024, 14:34

Perfect Pupil (white cap) and Anna McGuinness 
 Perfect Pupil (white cap) and Anna McGuinness
© Photo Healy Racing

Perfect Pupil was a second successive 25/1 winner on the Down Royal card as he landed the first division of the Powered By Bluegrass Handicap Hurdle in the hands of Anna McGuinness. Rebel Cowgirl made a bold bid from the front and was looking good for victory two out but the winner began to close on the run to the last where a mistake by the leader sealed her fate.

Owned and trained in Portadown by Stephen McConville, the Leading Light-sired winner scored by a length and a quarter with Rebel Cowgirl clear of the rest in second.

7lb claimer McGuinness rode a bumper winner last summer and this spare ride, replacing Daire James McConville, gave her a first success over hurdles.

McGuinness said: "I knew my lad would have the gears to pick him up, he's a strong stayer at that trip.

"It was a good performance from him today, so I'm very happy. I'm delighted for Stephen, he has been a good supporter of mine. It is nice to get a winner for him.

"A brilliant jump at the last, he winged it and then stayed ons trongly to the line.

"First winner over hurdles, so nice to get it. I rode a winner on Feast for James Lambe in a bumper at Downpatrick. This is my second winner now.

"I come from a non-racing background and I started with James and Stephen and they have been good to me."

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.