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Punchestown 2024
Punchestown 2024
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- Fluidity compensates McNamara for loss of finger
Fluidity compensates McNamara for loss of finger
Fluidity & Emmet McNamara after winning the last
© Photo Healy Racing
The Ger Lyons trained Fluidity (8/1) ran out an easy eight lengths winner of the last at Navan this afternoon, the 3yo Garlow Cross Handicap over a mile and two furlongs, with Emmet McNamara in the saddle.
Having his seventh career start but just his third on turf, Fluidity travelled well and hit the front two furlongs from home.
He was then pushed out to go clear a furlong from the finish and he stayed on strongly from there to record an easy success.
The 5/4 favourite Purple had no chance with the winner and she kept on to take second under Joseph O’Brien for his father Aidan.
The Andrew Oliver trained Summer Knight finished a further length and a quarter back in third under Chris Hayes at 8/1.
The winning chestnut son of Pastoral Pursuits was giving his rider McNamara some form of compensation after he caused him to lose part of his finger last November at Dundalk when he broke free from the stalls.
Winning trainer Ger Lyons said afterwards: “The horse owed him that (referring to the incident at Dundalk in November)!
"He has been a bit frustrating. Unusually for one of mine he didn’t love the surface at Dundalk.
"Emmet rides him in all of his work at home. He likes the turf and a bit of dig in the ground.
"He might go for the Ulster Derby at Down Royal now and he might fit the bill for National Hunt racing for someone at the end of the season."
Donal Murphy & Michael Graham