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Punchestown 2024
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- Carlow clings on in Shannon Spray thriller
Gary Carson
Carlow clings on in Shannon Spray thriller
Robin De Carlow and Ruby Walsh jump the last
© Photo Healy Racing
The line came just in time for Robin De Carlow as she narrowly landed the spoils in the Kerry Group EBF Shannon Spray Novice Hurdle at Limerick.
Ruby Walsh produced his mount to challenge two from home in the Grade 3 contest and the 11/2 shot looked in control over the final flight.
The Mark Fahey-trained Well Set Up came with a rattle on the run-in, however, and just failed by a nose at the line to grab the victory for Ricky Doyle.
It was a return to form for the Willie Mullins-trained mare who had been well held on her previous two runs having won a couple of listed contests back in the Autumn.
Walsh said afterwards:- "She jumped and travelled super. It was very hard in that head-wind but when she got there she just pulled up.
"I couldn't have gone much faster through the race and I was just hunting away and it was great to win as black-type for these mares is very important. I was aiming for third and anything after that was a bonus!
"She jumped the last two very well which was hugely important and I was really impressed with her as I thought she'd struggle on the ground."
(Quotes by Tom Weekes)