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Punchestown 2024
Punchestown 2024
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- Heaven too strong in opener
Gary Carson
Heaven too strong in opener
Sign From Heaven scores in style
© Photo Healy Racing
Sign From Heaven proved too hot to handle for her rivals as she made all for a cosy victory in the opening two-year-old maiden at Naas this evening.
Connor King bounced the 11/8 favourite out in front on the rail and she had the field at work passing the two pole.
The David Wachman-trained Raven's Pass filly was asked for an effort over a furlong out and kept on well to secure a comfortable three-and-a-half length victory.
Market rival Hurryupharriet (6/4) gave chase throughout but could not live with the winner while Wachman was also responsible for the third, debutant Amygdala
The winning trainer, who ran three (also fifth-placed Unravelled , said afterwards:-
“She'll be running in nurseries now. She had a bit of experience and being on the rail helped. Once again Connor gave her a good ride.”
The winner came into the race off a good run at Bellewstown, where she had just went down to Celtic Man by three-parts of a length.
There was plenty of drama before the start with Tuilelaith withdrawn after bolting and then unshipping Chris Hayes to run loose back around the track. The 25/1 was caught near the gates to the stable-yard.
Bay Hill also proved unruly in the preliminaries and had to be walked to the start by Fran Berry, before finishing last of eight.
(Additional reporting by Alan Magee)