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Punchestown 2024
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Michael Graham
Dawn Mirage clearly in good form
Dawn Mirage makes all in Gowran Park
© Photo Healy Racing
Again the two horses that raced prominently from the gate - Dawn Mirage and Peace Mission - took control of proceedings with the former landing plenty of bets in the mile maiden for three-year-olds and older.
David Wachman 's colt was backed throughout the day from 9/2 to 11/4 before going off 2/1 favourite at the track.
He was visored for the first time and pinged out of stall five to lead under Wayne Lordan. Peace Mission, from a wider stall in 11, was brought across by Gary Carroll into second place. Rock Montjeu and Aqua Regia raced third and fourth respectively with U S Navy Seal fifth.
This order was maintained at the halfway stage but entering the home straight Dawn Mirage was given the office by Lordan. Peace Mission battled on in second and was less than a length down at the two pole.
Dawn Mirage stayed on strongly inside the final furlong though, and galloped on to win by two and a half lengths. Peace Mission kept at it in second at 66/1. This was her first sighting of a racecourse.
U S Navy Seal (11/4) moved into a never threatening third at the furlong pole. He had been off track for 383 days.
Wayne Lordan said: "He had a couple of nice runs early on but then he weakened off. He is after coming back this year and he has strengthened up. He has done it well and he is a lovely horse.
"The ground was perfect for him and the trip was perfect for him. I think that is his ideal trip. He is after filling out. He was a tall, narrow horse."
Additional reporting by Donal Murphy