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Punchestown 2024
Punchestown 2024
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Michael Graham
Mitbaahy avails of a trademark Spencer ride
Mitbaahy, near side, cuts them down
© Photo Healy Racing
The Group 2 Greenlands Stakes went for export to Britain again as Mitbaahy came from last to first under Jamie Spencer for Charles Hills.
The son of Profitable was in rear of the 12 runners at the half-way stage of this six-furlong sprint, but was last off the bridle for Jamie Spencer.
He switched him to the right to make headway a furlong and a-half down and switched left for daylight inside the final furlong.
The 9/1 chance fairly rattled home in the final 100 yards to grab the three horses at the head of affairs close home.
He won by three-parts of a length over Regional (17/2) with 50/1 outsider Ano Syra just a head away in third. The 7/2 favourite, Art Power was a short head out of the placings in fourth.
Spencer said: “It would have been a lot easier if Shane's horse (Foley, Ocean Quest progressed when he got past David Egan (on Magical Sunset , he just took me out of the race for a few strides.
“The leaders got a length or two on me and I think he's done well to run them down.
“He's obviously an improving horse and you'd be looking forward to him for Ascot now.
“There is a strong headwind and everything was in his favour today. I thought he had a good chance today because he'd been running at Newmarket where it's notoriously hard to come from behind, especially with all the ridges. Down into the dip he's got unbalanced twice and has run good races.
“I felt when you're running at a track where the ground meets you he was always going to find his acceleration again.”
This is the third year in a row that this race has been won by British-based trainers.
The Raceday Stewards interviewed J.P. Spencer, rider of Mitbaahy, concerning his use of the whip in the closing stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned who accepted he was in breach of the whip Regulation. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Raceday Stewards were satisfied that J.P. Spencer was in breach of Regulation 10.3(h)(arm above shoulder) and having considered his record (first offence), they suspended him for two race days.
Paddy Power made Mitbaahy 16/1 from 25/1 for both the King Charles III Stakes and Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson