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Punchestown 2024
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- Champion Crosse rounds off season in style
Donal Murphy
Champion Crosse rounds off season in style
Naadheer (left) is ridden out by Shane Crosse to beat Johnny Drama
© Photo Healy Racing
Champion apprentice Shane Crosse rounded off the season in style, as he partnered Naadheer to an all the way success in the JF Dunne Insurances Maiden.
Previously trained in France, the son of Casamento made his debut for Johnny Feane at Galway last Monday, finishing sixth in the race won by Laughifuwant.
Sent off a 14/1 chance this afternoon, the chestnut gelding made all, and kept on well under pressure from the two furlong pole, holding off the effort of reserve Johnny Drama (2/1jfav) by a neck.
Colin Keane was aboard the runner-up for Ger Lyons, while fellow joint-favourite Black Noah was another four and a half lengths back in third, with Chris Hayes aboard this one for Gordon Elliott.
Feane said afterwards: "We were a bit unlucky with the (Merry Men) syndicate as we had another filly that didn't work out. This fella had a few muscle problems through the year.
"The trip was too short for him at Galway but he ran well and came out of it perfect so we ran him back here and said we'd be positive.
"He jumped out, made the running and never stopped. He was getting a bit tired the last 100 yards. He's in the sales on Wednesday."
Additional reporting by Alan Magee