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Mark Nunan

Mark Nunan

Taipan lands the odds with the minimum of fuss

Tue 6th Jun 2023, 08:21

Taipan  Taipan
© Photo Healy Racing

Taipan followed up a short-priced success at Killarney last month with an equally emphatic victory in the Acro Fire & Safety (QR) Race.

Sent off the 8/11 favourite in the colours of Fiona Carmichael, the 101-rated gelding took over in front at halfway and was ridden clear in the straight to beat Mon Coeur by five and a half lengths.

Barry O’Neill was the man on board and said: "I had a chat with Shane (Foley, stable jockey) and he said to go forward on him as he stays really well. He won over 1m6f the last day so I wasn't going to be left caught for toe today.

"I was nearly turning down the back straight before I was able to pull him up although he wasn't doing a whole lot in front.

"He has a great mind, he really understands the game and it was my first time riding a horse by Frankel. He is very straightforward and a child would ride him. It's great to get the chance to ride for a super trainer like Jessica Harrington and I'm very grateful for the opportunity."

Quotes from Tom Weekes

1st
8/11Fav
Tote €1.80 €1.10
2nd
5.5L
4/1
€1.60
3rd
0.75L
6/1
€2.00
4th
8L
10/3
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.