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Punchestown 2024
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Byrnes aims for Limerick Domination
Domination
© Photo Healy Racing
Talented hurdler and Flat runner Domination aims to make it two from two over fences in the feature Hugh McMahon Memorial Novice Chase at Limerick.
Three victories and numerous placed efforts have seen the Charles Byrnes-trained seven-year-old achieve a rating in the 90s on the level, while he also has four triumphs to his credit over timber.
He returned from a five-month break for his fencing debut at Limerick a fortnight ago and while the pick of his form is on a sounder surface, he sluiced through the mud under Davy Russell to win with plenty in hand.
The versatile son of Motivator steps up from two miles and a furlong to three miles for the Grade Two contest, but Byrnes does not expect his charge to beaten for a lack of stamina.
He said: "It wasn't originally the plan to step him up into Graded company so soon but he doesn't have many options and he has stayed three miles over hurdles in the past. He'd prefer faster ground but has plenty of form on soft ground too and I'm hoping for a good run."
Domination takes top billing in a six-runner field, with leading owners Gigginstown House Stud represented by Folsom Blue and Rogue Angel
Conor O'Dwyer 's Folsom Blue was last seen finishing fourth in the Leinster National at Naas, while Rogue Angel was not beaten far into seventh in the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival for Mouse Morris.
O'Dwyer said: "I'm looking forward to the race and conditions should suit him ideally as he loves heavy ground and three miles. I'm hoping for a nice run before he runs in the Irish Grand National in three weeks' time."
Grand National-winning trainer Jimmy Mangan runs Letter Of Credit who chased home the talented Bright New Dawn at Naas three weeks ago.
Mangan said: "He's in great form and I was very pleased with his Naas run in terms of his jumping. I'm expecting a good run here as he'll love the going and running over three miles is a big plus.
"There are plenty of dangers, but it's a big prize-money race and is entitled to be well supported." Touch The Eden made it third time lucky over fences at Navan earlier this month and represents champion trainer Willie Mullins. Dick Lalor's likely outsider Carrigeen Lonicera completes the line-up.