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Mark Nunan

Mark Nunan

Young Dev outstays rivals under McDonagh

Sun 13th Feb 2022, 16:39

Young Dev (right) Young Dev (right)
© Photo Healy Racing

Dour stayer Young Dev (12/1) relished the testing conditions in the David Trundley Artist At Punchestown Handicap Hurdle.

The eight-year-old grey, winning for the fifth time in his career, came from well off the pace under Mark McDonagh. He began to pick off rivals from the second-last but still had plenty to do in fifth place jumping the last as Itsnotinit made the best of his way home.

The latter weakened on the run-in, though, as Young Dev came between rivals to hit the front 75 yards out and stayed on well to account for 80/1 outsider Boss Girl by three quarters of a length with Robinstown a head further back in third. Itsnotinit held on for fourth place.

Four of the Denis Hogan-trained gelding’s victories have come on heavy ground with the other achieved on soft to heavy.

7lb claimer McDonagh said after his twelfth winner of the campaign: “It wasn't the plan to be as far back but he didn't really travel throughout the whole race.

“He's probably a bit smarter with age. Every time he passed a horse it made him go that little bit better.

“I just had to keep him quiet and try my best to get a little bit closer every time. He loves that ground.”

(GC & MN)

1st
12/1
Tote €13.00 €3.74
2nd
0.75L
80/1
€10.23
3rd
hd
7/1
€3.30
4th
6L
10/1
€5.39
bf
3/1Fav
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.