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Mark Nunan

Mark Nunan

Wizard completes across-the-cards treble for Joseph O'Brien

Sat 17th Aug 2024, 18:21

The Ginger Wizard (second left)









The Ginger Wizard (second left)
© Photo Healy Racing

The Ginger Wizard (9/4 fav) was a ready winner of the O'Driscoll's Irish Whiskey Maiden under Mikey Sheehy.

Runner-up at Killarney on his previous outing, the Calyx colt was fitted with cheekpieces for the first time. He tracked front-running Yes Oui Si before hitting the front under two furlongs out and went away to beat Kalkanli by eight-and-a-half lengths.

Joseph O'Brien, on the mark earlier in the day with Deauville Listed winner Apples And Bananas and Curragh nursery victor Girl Like You trains the three-year-old chesnut for Niall and Cathal Slevin.

"He broke well from a wide draw and stayed galloping all the way to the line," said Sheehy.

"He handled the track well. At Killarney the ground was a bit on the quicker side, but there was a bit of an ease in it today and he really enjoyed it. 

 "I thought he idled in front. He travelled really sweetly across the top the final time and I just let him keep rolling. I thought if I had something to aim at for longer he would have won even further. 

"There are so many good riders down in Joseph's and so many horses, so when the opportunities come you have to take them."

Quotes from Donal Murphy

1st
9/4Fav
Tote €3.25 €1.30
2nd
8.5L
5/2
€1.20
3rd
1.5L
5/1
€1.60
4th
2.75L
11/1
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.