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Mark Nunan

Mark Nunan

Slattery's mare bounces back to form

Mon 15th Jul 2024, 19:41

Independent Expert (purple) 
Independent Expert (purple)
© Photo Healy Racing

The one mile handicap for four-year-olds and upwards was marred by a fatal injury sustained by David Marnane's stable stalwart Freescape who  slipped up after clipping heels on the approach to the straight. Fortunately young rider Darragh O'Sullivan was unscathed in the incident. 

Victory went to 12/1 chance Independent Expert who bounced back to form after a poor run when last seen in early June.

Having tracked the leaders, the Gutaifan mare gave chase to Physique in the final furlong and wore down that rival close home to score by half a length. 

Andrew Slattery was on board Mick Walsh's five-year-old for his father Andy who remarked: "I ran five horses in Gowran the last day she ran and they all ran worse than the other but the ground was terrible and sticky. She likes soft ground but couldn't go on it that day and now three of those horses have won since, so it was just one of those things.

"I gave her a break, she is fit and well now and tomorrow morning I'll enter her in a Galway festival handicap on the Tuesday. If she gets in, we'll take our chance and if you're not in, you can't win."

Quotes from Tom Weekes

1st
12/1
Tote €17.20 €2.90
2nd
0.5L
11/2
€2.00
3rd
1L
6/1
€2.20
4th
0.5L
9/1
bf
0.75L
11/10Fav
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.