Search
Punchestown 2024
Punchestown 2024
- Home
- News
Donal Murphy
Haqeeba provides Lennon with first flat win
Haqeeba and Seamie Heffernan (left) just get the better of Almanaara (centre) and Flowerhill Nova
© Photo Healy Racing
Liam Lennon recorded his first winner on the flat, as Haqeeba took the Revamp Supporting Naas Hurling Maiden.
The daughter of Haatef was also providing her rider Seamie Heffernan with a quick double, after he took the opener aboard Leo Minor
Sent off an 8/1 chance, the bay filly was drawn on the wide outside in stall 13. She was settled behind the leaders and was ridden to challenge with under two furlongs to race.
She edged to the front inside the final 100 yards, and kept on well from there, holding off the 5/4 favourite Almanarra by a short head.
The runner-up was ridden by Pat Smullen for Dermot Weld, while the front-running Flowerhill Nova (11/8) completed the placings, a further half a length back in third under Declan McDonogh for Andy Slattery. Shinko Princess was a fast finishing fourth, and she is sure to have entered plenty of notebooks.
Liam Lennon said afterwards: "I'm more used to the point-to-point game. They tell me about the draw and other things but to be honest I don't know much about it.
"We bought her at Goresbridge (for E2,000), and she's been lucky for us getting money every time. That's my first winner on the flat."
Additional reporting by Alan Magee