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Punchestown 2024
Punchestown 2024
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- Templar edges apprentice thriller
Gary Carson
Templar edges apprentice thriller
Knights Templar (left) and Korbous do battle
© Photo Healy Racing
The Morocco Sorec Apprentice Handicap at Leopardstown produced a thrilling finish with Knights Templar just getting the nod.
3/1 favourite Korbous gained a narrow lead a furlong out in the mile contest but was soon tackled by Knights Templar and Conor Hoban.
The pair went head to head in the closing stages with Pat Flynn's gelding having just a nose to spare at the line.
The 8/1 winner was recording his second win of the campaign having also scored at Roscommon early last month.
"It was a nice race for him as he likes small fields and we were hopeful today," said Flynn.
"He was in good form coming here but he's a horse that everything has to go right with. He maybe hit the front too soon but got away with it.
"He was second over 1m1f in Galway before and we'll see. He's not a horse to run back quickly."