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Punchestown 2024
Punchestown 2024
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Mark Nunan
Elizabeth prevails in Ulster Oaks
Elizabethofaragon and Wayne Lordan (near) beat Wilderness by a neck
© Photo Healy Racing
Going for a four-timer of her own, the front-running Wilderness 4/1 fav) almost gave Johnny Murtagh a treble on the card but she was headed close home in the BoyleSports Ulster Oaks by Elizabethofaragon (6/1).
Aidan O’Brien’s filly had closed on the leader with a furlong to race, and gradually edged to the front in the final strides to win by a neck. Too Soon To Panic was three lengths away in third.
The winning Galileo filly, a half-sister to Racing Post Trophy winner Kingsbarns, was a winner on her handicap bow at Leopardstown off a mark of 64, having finished no better than tenth in three maiden runs.
Winning rider Wayne Lordan said: "It was a mile and a half the last day and she was coming back two furlongs, so it wasn't going to be ideal here on a track like this because it is quite sharp.
"She had to dig deep and she fought hard for me.
"She is by Galileo and you never know when they stop improving. She is a filly that is starting to improve, so you wouldn't know where she would end up.
"I definitely think she wants a mile and a half as she stays really well. She is very tough and genuine. A mile and a half is key to her.
"It was beautiful, safe ground out there."
Additional reporting by Michael Graham