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Punchestown 2024
Punchestown 2024
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- O'Brien gets in on double act aboard Hareth
Gary Carson
O'Brien gets in on double act aboard Hareth
Hareth and Joseph O'Brien
© Photo Healy Racing
The money came for Hareth in the last at Dundalk and Charlie Swan's charge gave Joseph O'Brien a double on the night in the ten furlong maiden.
The Jeremy gelding had been easy to back this morning (from 2/1 to 3/1) but was supported from 7/2 into 2/1 on course.
O'Brien produced his mount to challenge front-runner Catchy Lass two furlongs out and he got the measure of that rival just inside the final furlong, going on for a four-and-three-quarter length success.
The winner had been well held in three hurdle starts since joining Swan but had shown ability on the level at Listowel last September when chasing home Egyptian Warrior.
“Obviously he likes that bit of nice ground. I thought being by Jeremy that he's like it soft but he didn't seem to handle it over hurdles," said Swan.
“We'll see what handicap mark he gets and he'll probably come back here.”
Joseph O'Brien had also teamed up with father Aidan to score with Lone Star earlier on the card. Sceilg was sent off the 6/4 favourite but failed to pick up in the straight and finished sixth of the seven finishers.
The race was marred by a bad injury to Sea Smoke who unseated Colin Keane a furlong-and-a-half out. Keane was none-the-worse for the tumble.
(Additional reporting by Alan Magee)