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Punchestown 2024
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- Ground the key to Day success
Donal Murphy
Ground the key to Day success
One Fine Day clears the last from Djakadam in second
© Photo Healy Racing
Just four lined up for the Grade 3 Weatherbys Ireland GSB 4yo Hurdle with the outsider of the quartet, One Fine Day springing a 16/1 surprise under Robbie Power for Jessica Harrington.
A maiden over flights, the daughter of Choisir, won twice on the level last year and having her fifth start over hurdles this afternoon she settled in rear.
Turning for home she was still last as Dogora Djakadam and Dalasiri disputed the lead.
She then came with her challenge on the outside in between the final two flights and she hit the front before the last, keeping on well on the run-in to score by three and a quarter lengths.
The 6/4 favourite, Djakadam, kept on to take second under Paul Townend, with Dogora (2/1, was the 6/4 this morning) a further length and a half back in third under Ruby Walsh. Dalasari (9/4) was a further three lengths back in last under Andrew Lynch.
The winner was receiving a seven pound fillies allowance while the Willie Mullins duo of Dogora and Djakadam were carrying an extra four pounds due to the fact they won two hurdle races
Jessica Harrington said afterwards: "It’s the ground, it’s as simple as that.
"She ran a blinder on her first start over hurdles at Christmas when the ground was half decent.
"Last time out her jumping was appalling, she just couldn’t get out of the ground.
"We’ll take on the best of them now at Punchestown where she will go for the Grade (1AES Champion Four Year Old Hurdle on April 27th)."
After the race Sabrina Harty, trainer of Dalasiri, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that her charge scoped wrong post race.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee