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Punchestown 2024
Punchestown 2024
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- Harry Des Ongrais ploughs through heavy ground
Michael Graham
Harry Des Ongrais ploughs through heavy ground
Harry Des Ongrais clips the last
© Photo Healy Racing
Strong-travelling Harry Des Ongrais justified even-money favouritism with a professional display in the two and a half mile maiden hurdle.
The former point-to-point winner showed his first track form when fourth in Gowran Park at the start of the month.
He travelled well behind the leader Drumderry Harlem and ranged upsides her approaching two out.
Davy Russell sent him on between the final two flights and a slight mistake at the last didn't hamper him as he kept on well to win by a comfortable four lengths.
Drumderry Harlem gave it a good go but had to settle for second at 11/1. She was 11 lengths clear of Positive Thinker (4/1).
Henry de Bromhead said: "I'm delighted with that and Davy was brilliant on him. It's our first National Hunt winner for Kenny (Haughey), Barbapapa was our first winner for him. Kenny is a good friend of Davy's and that's why he was aboard.
"He is a lovely horse and is a real nice chaser in the making. We will tip away over hurdles with him now and see how we get on."
Additional reporting by Donal Murphy