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Punchestown 2024
Punchestown 2024
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- O'Grady's Bouquet gains deserved win
O'Grady's Bouquet gains deserved win
Bouquet Garni wins under Billy Lee
© Photo Healy Racing
On outing number twenty Bouquet Garni made the breakthrough under Billy Lee in division two of the Crowne Plaza Leading Jockey & Trainer Championship Handicap at Dundalk.
Owned and bred by O'Grady's wife Maria, 8/1 shot Bouquet Garni tracked the leaders here.
Third at the halfway stage, the daughter of Rip Van Winkle made headway to challenge early in the straight, and she was ridden to lead over a furlong out.
From there she kept on well to account for Compatriot by a length and a quarter.
"She's been running well and a lot of her problem is that she's been missing the kick here and getting too far back," said Lee.
"The last day she ran well. She jumped well again today and travelled real sweet the whole way.
"I sent her on early enough to be fair but when they came to her just inside the furlong pole she picked up again.
"It's good to get the win into her as Mr O'Grady bred her himself. It's a nice one for him that she's done the job tonight."
(GC & EM)