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Punchestown 2024
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- Roche delivers goods on impressive Alkasser
Roche delivers goods on impressive Alkasser
Alkasser (Leigh Roche) with the loose Gold Peregrine for company
© Photo Healy Racing
Alkasser was shaping well from some way out in the Listed seven furlong Power European Breeders Fund Tetrarch Stakes and the son of Shamardal went on to provide his rider Leigh Roche with a big win.
With stable jockey Pat Smullen suspended, the Dermot Weld runners continue in sparkling form and with the loose Gold Peregrine (unseated Fran Berry at the start) to guide him, impressive Cork maiden winner Alkasser picked up Focus On Venice to score by three parts of a length.
Weld stated: "That was a good confident ride by Leigh. I told him to do exactly the same as he did on Tested at Gowran Park yesterday.
"He rode him with extreme confidence and delivered the goods.
"I'll speak to Sheikh Hamdan (Al Maktoum, winning owner) and Angus Gold (racing manager) and it's quite possible that he could run in the Irish 2000 Guineas.
"I was concerned today as to whether he'd get seven furlongs but he got it well. Whether he'll get a mile is another thing."
The Stewards enquired into the fall of Gold Peregrine (GB), ridden by F.M. Berry as the horses left the stalls. Evidence was heard from F.M. Berry who stated that this horse seemed to stumble coming out of stalls and unseated him. Having considered the evidence and viewed a recording of the race, the Stewards took no further action.
(AM & EM)