Search
Punchestown 2024
Punchestown 2024
- irishracing.com
- Punchestown
- News
- Crusade foils O'Brien in opener
Crusade foils O'Brien in opener
Joseph O'Brien found himself on the wrong one in the opener at Dundalk as Ballydoyle second string Last Crusade landed the spoils.
Sean Levey bounced the Galileo colt out in front and he kept on well for pressure down the straight.
6/4 joint-favourite Pirate Chest tried hard under O'Brien but couldn't peg back his stable-mate inside the final furlong, going down by a length.
A stewards enquiry was called after third-placed Balmont Mast found himself short of room inside the final furlong.
Eddie Lynam 's charge ran out of room as the front two came together, the winner being the worst culprit in the closing stages as he drifted right. The result stood after the stewards had their look.
The other 6/4 joint favourite One Up One Down who had attracted good support in the morning (2/1 to 11/10), was a disappointment back in fourth - nine lengths off the third.