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Punchestown 2024
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Michael Graham
Amusement leads home one-two for O'Brien
Paddy Harnett, without his irons, gets the verdict by a nose
© Photo Healy Racing
Donnacha O'Brien's Amusement came from last to first to land the concluding 1m4f handicap in Leopardstown, but that only tells half the story.
The Galileo filly came down the outside of her five rivals to lead narrowly inside the final furlong but Harnett lost his right iron.
The filly was soon locked in a closing-stages battle with stablemate Teutates and close home Harnett kicked his other iron out to maintain his balance.
After a lengthy photograph, Amusement was declared the winner by a nose at 4/1 from Teutates (4/1).
O’Brien said: “I think she gave a little jump (when Harnett lost an iron). She can do that at home as well if she spots something.
“She’s tough and stays well. There are plenty of options for her like staying races later in the year.
She won’t be a million miles from black-type rating now, so that’s what we’ll plan on trying to get.
“The second is good when he gets things together. He still hasn’t got his ground and will be better on better ground. He could go for a handicap at Ascot.”
Additional reporting by Alan Magee