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Punchestown 2024
Punchestown 2024
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- Review punchestown 7th May
Review punchestown 7th May
< Grandouet stamped his class on the AES Champion 4YO Hurdle at Punchestown to cap a great day for Nicky Henderson.
The Triumph Hurdle third, unlucky to be brought down when bang in contention at Aintree last time, always travelled well under Barry Geraghty and was poised to strike as Kumbeshwar led them into the straight.
The 5-2 shot sprinted clear when Geraghty pressed the button approaching the last, going away to win by nine lengths, while favourite Unaccompanied never looked comfortable and could fare no better than fourth.
Henderson, who also won the Swinton Hurdle at Haydock with Eradicate, landed a treble initiated by Bellvano (7-2 favourite), who dug deep to take the Madra Irish Dog Food Novice Chase by a length and three-quarters after a duel with Montan
The third leg for trainer and jockey came up when Shakalakaboomboom (14-1) showed guts aplenty to take the Tulfarris Hotel And Golf Resort Pat Taaffe Handicap Chase.
The seven-year-old looked to have thrown it away when he ploughed through the last to hand the advantage to favourite Beautiful Sound but he fought back bravely and got there by a short head.
Shop DJ trounced the opposition to take the valuable Irish Thoroughbred Breeders Association Fillies Scheme EBF Mares Hurdle in impressive style for the Peter Fahey team.
Henderson's Veiled held the lead as they headed to the final flight but had no answer when Davy Russell swept past on the winner (7-1), who went away to beat Shirley Casper by 13 lengths.
The John Hanlon-trained Truckers Delight (11-1) led going to the final flight under Conor O'Farrell before resisting Barker s late bid by a length and three-quarters in the www.thetote.com Handicap Hurdle,< Freneys Well (5-1) and Nina Carberry completed a hat-trick in the Irish Field Chase over the banks course, but Enda Bolger's veteran had to be counted lucky as Theroadtocroker had the race in the bag when he came down at the last.