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Punchestown 2024
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Donal Murphy
Mayleaf shines under Foley
Mayleaf Shine is pushed out by Shane Foley to beat Hueston
© Photo Healy Racing
Mayleaf Shine justified favouritism as she took the Anglo Printers 1890 624 624 Nursery Handicap for trainer Joe Murphy.
Second of twenty to Mr Scarlet on her last start at Naas, the daughter of Mayson was available at 10/3 last night, opening on-course at 9/4, before going off the clear 2/1 favourite.
Settled in rear by Shane Foley, she was pushed along and took closer order from two furlongs out. She came with her challenge inside the final furlong, and got to the front with less than 100 yards to race, going on to score by a length and a half. Hueston who was backed from 20's this morning into a starting price of 10's, ran well to finish second under Killian Leonard for Conor O'Dwyer. Lyin Eyes was installed the 15/8 favourite last night, but proved friendless throughout the day, and opened on-course at 13/2.
The David Wachman trained bay touched 7's, before coming in for late market support, going off a 9/2 chance, eventually finishing fourth.
Murphy said afterwards: "I was afraid of the ground along the rails and that wasn't the plan! The plan was to run on better ground on the far side and I was getting worried two furlongs down but it worked out okay.
"Shane (Foley) said they went very fast up front and he was quite happy to keep some in reserve for the final furlong.
"She had been working home and will come back for a Listed race in two weeks time.
"She is owned by Eamonn Phelan, from Kilmacthomas, who used to be the stallion man in Coolmore."
The winner is a half-sister to the Matty Tynan trained four-time winner Coto.
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes