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Punchestown 2024
Punchestown 2024
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Michael Graham
Bella Blue Eyes not for passing in Foxrock
Bella Blue Eyes, right, makes all under Billy Lee
© Photo Healy Racing
Bella Blue Eyes broke well and made all to land the opening fillies' and mares' maiden over the extended seven furlongs in Leopardstown.
The 11/4 shot dictated from Perseids and Gypsy Woman with 11/8 favourite Eternal Silence in fourth.
The favourite made her move entering the straight and was ridden into third over a furlong out.
The leader had also made her move for home, though. She was two lengths clear of Gypsy Woman and Eternal Silence inside the final furlong and held both, despite them cutting into her lead close home.
Eternal Silence got up for second, but was three-parts of a length in arrears of the winner. Gypsy Woman (6/1) was a short head away in third.
Bella Blue Eyes got off the mark after placed efforts in Tipperary and at this track.
Trainer Paddy Twomey said: “She's a nice filly. She had a good run last year and she got a setback after it.
“She was drawn very wide here the last day. Mine usually come forward from their first run and she's done that.
“There looked to be lots of dangers in the race but we decided we'd be positive and, if we could, go forward, and it worked out.
“I think she'll keep improving. Eddie (Walsh, owner) has set up a stud farm and the idea would be to get some black-type so we'll look at that.
“Whether we go via a winners' race or she goes down that direction we'll see, but I think she's good enough.
“I'd say she'll get a mile, but Billy said she's comfortable at that trip as well.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson