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Punchestown 2024
Punchestown 2024
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Michael Graham
Frank Arthur up with the speed in Roscommon
Frank Arthur and Colin Keane approach the line
© Photo Healy Racing
Frank Arthur stepped up on his recent runner-up finish to get off the mark in the extended seven furlong maiden in Roscommon.
The 4/5 favourite broke well to lead from stall two but soon raced in second behind front-running Multan who was sent on by Robbie Downey.
Frank Arthur travelled well for Colin Keane approaching the turn for home and the pair took over from a scrubbed along Multan hitting the three pole.
The leader was ridden to go for home a quarter of a mile out but was pressed by Mostaqqer on the inside and a closing Moore Street Wise on the outer.
Frank Arthur dug in well, though, in the final furlong and fended off Mostaqqer (9/1) by a length and a quarter. Moore Street Wise was a further half a length away in third at 5/2.
Ger Lyons' gelding had finished second to an odds-on favourite at Gowran Park on Friday evening but was clearly none the worse for those exertions.
Assistant trainer Shane Lyons said: “He came out of the race on Friday in Gowran Park very well. He’s a laid-back character at home and looks great, so we said we’d take our chance and it was a good shout to bring him back.
“He’s a nice horse going forward, appreciated the ground and will get further. It’s nice to win a maiden with him.
“Colin said it rode like good to yielding.”
Frank Arthur is a half brother to Arnold Lane who won seven times during his career.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee