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Punchestown 2024
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Michael Graham
Pale Moonlight charts straight course to victory
Pale Moonlight, left, sweeps through to win
© Photo Healy Racing
Pale Moonlight (11/1) took full advantage of Mister Wilson hanging badly to take the opening mile nursery in Gowran Park.
Mister Wilson shortened from 10/1 to 4/1 this morning and soon led under Nathan Crosse.
The grey leader had the field on the stretch approaching the final quarter of mile, however, he shifted to his left passing the two pole.
He was still at the head of affairs inside the final furlong but veered markedly left towards the stands' side rail in the final 150 yards to open the door for Pale Moonlight.
Colin Keane had his mount in rear before the duo utilised the far rail to make good headway racing to the final furlong.
They stayed on well to take over in the closing stages and scored by two lengths from Mister Wilson (6/1) and Dahomey (80/1) who dead heated for second.
Keane said: "She handled the ease in the ground and had headgear on for the first time.
"She is a grand little filly, very straightforward and tries very hard.
"The other horse (Mister Wilson) didn't help himself, but my filly got a lovely run around, got the splits when she needed them and ran straight. She probably wanted it more."
Dermot Weld 's Pale Moonlight sported a first-time visor after four unplaced runs.
Additional reporting by Donal Murphy