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Punchestown 2024
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- McCreery & Lee on the mark with Radiantly
Donal Murphy
McCreery & Lee on the mark with Radiantly
Radiantly (nearest) comes through to beat Pacodali
© Photo Healy Racing
The Willie McCreery trained Radiantly got up close home to win the opener at Tipperary, the Camas Park Stud EBF Maiden.
Sixth of ten behind Juliette Fair on her debut at Leopardstown earlier this month the daughter of Aussie Rules was sent off a 12/1 chance this evening having opened at 14's on-course (touched 11's).
Settled behind the leaders by Billy Lee she was pushed along in fifth as they entered the straight.
She was ridden a furlong and a half from home and soon went third, keeping on strongly on the outer inside the final furlong, getting up close home to win by half a length in the colours of the Niarchos Family. Pacodali (16/1), who hit the front a furlong out, had to settle for second under Connor King for Johnny Murtagh while the well-backed newcomer Red Stars (10/1 in the morning and from 6's to 4's on-course) kept on well to take third a further length and three parts back under Declan McDonogh for John Oxx. A Year To Remember was sent off the 7/4 favourite (from 5/2 last night) and he finished a disappointing sixth under Joseph O'Brien for his father Aidan.
Willie McCreery said afterwards: "She ran grand the first day but was drawn 13 of 13 at Leopardstown and flew home. She was a bit antsy in the stalls then and we put a sheet on her today.
"I had been waiting for her all year but always thought she's be a better filly next year and was thinking about not running her this year.
"She's a grand filly but is a big baby and is still learning. I'm not sure whether I'll run her again this year and she doesn't want fast ground at this stage."
STEWARDS REPORT
C.T. Keane, rider of Father Mattie trained by Eamonn O'Connell, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount whinnied in the straight and was eased.
M.C. Hussey, rider of Its Only Mossy trained by Sean P. Hennessy, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount ran very green.
J.A. Heffernan, rider of Masonbrook Lady trained by Denis Gerard Hogan, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount was fractious at the start.
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes