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Punchestown 2024
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Gary Carson
Mohaayed springs shock in style
Mohaayed and Chris Hayes
© Photo Healy Racing
Mohaayed sprang a 20/1 shock in the colts and geldings maiden at Navan as he put some well-bred newcomers in the shade.
Chris Hayes produced the Kevin Prendergast-trained colt with a strong run to lead over a furlong from home in the mile contest.
The Hamdan Al Maktoum-owned son of Intikhab galloped on strongly in the closing stages to post a four-and-a-half length success.
All the money was for Ballydoyle newcomer Giovanni Canaletto as he was backed from 2/1 this morning and the support continued into 8/11 on course.
It took too long for the penny to drop with Joseph O'Brien's mount, however, as he ran greenly in the straight before staying on strongly in the closing stages to finish third, a length-and-a-half behind 25/1 stable-mate Jinsha Lake
The winner Mohaayed had not run since finishing fifth behind Raydara in a good maiden at Leopardstown in July.
“He’s a nice horse and we have always thought a lot of him. He was very green the first day at Leopardstown, and the penny dropped very late. We fancied him today because of the ground, and the only negative was the draw,” said Hayes afterwards.
“The Eyrefield and the Killavullan are options or he may be put away. I’d be looking forward to him over a mile and a quarter next year.”
Boylesports introduced Giovanni Canaletto at 33/1 for Investec Derby
(Additional reporting by Alan Magee)