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Punchestown 2024
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- Oxx & McDonogh Enjoy Gowran opener
Donal Murphy
Oxx & McDonogh Enjoy Gowran opener
Enjoy Yourself (second from left) is driven out by Declan McDonogh
© Photo Healy Racing
Newcomer Enjoy Yourself sprang a 40/1 surprise in the opener at Gowran, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden.
The John Oxx trained daughter of Sir Percy cost just 10,000 guineas at Tattersalls in October and while she opened at 16/1 last night she proved friendless with punters.
Having tracked the leader in second she was pushed along to challenge over two furlongs out.
She was ridden over a furlong from home and edged ahead inside the final 100 yards, keep on well to hold off the late surge of Al Mohalhal by a neck.
The runner-up was returned a 16/1 chance under Ronan Whelan for Jim Bolger while the 4/6 favourite London (Joseph O'Brien for his father Aidan) could only manage third after attempting to make all.
John Oxx said afterwards: "She's a nice filly and I'm not surprised she won as she's been working well. She was quite professional, and it's not the easiest place to win on debut as there are lots of things to look at.
"She may go next for a Listed race (Flame Of Tara Stakes) at the Curragh on August 30th.
"The owners are (the Riddle Me Ree Partnership) from Waterford and include an old friend of mine from our veterinary college days, Miley Walsh."
STEWARDS REPORT
P.J. Smullen, rider of Brevet (GB), trained by D. K. Weld, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount hung left in the last furlong.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee