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Punchestown 2024
Punchestown 2024
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- Thistles edges thrillier in Wexford finale
Gary Carson
Thistles edges thrillier in Wexford finale
Field A Thistles and Declan Lavery (far side) hold off Meitheal
© Photo Healy Racing
The mares bumper at Wexford produced the best finish of the day as Field A Thistles just clung on at the line to open her account in the finale.
There was drama early on as leader Keep The Head jinked and unseated Harry Swan after a couple of furlongs. Thankfully horse and jockey were fine.
Field A Thistles soon moved up to dispute in the two-and-a-half mile contest and grabbed the lead, under Declan Lavery, turning for home.
The 11/4 favourite was strongly pressed by newcomer Meitheal in the closing stages and just prevailed by a nose at the line.
Trainer Mags Mullins said:- "She deserved that. She runs well everyday and had a lovely run over hurdles the last day at Limerick. It's lovely to pick up the bonus today as well.
“We weren't sure whether we were doing the right thing coming back for a bumper but she came up trumps and it's great. We were just wondering was she good enough to win a bumper because they are very competitive.
“The bonus (Weatherbys ITBA National Hunt Fillies Bonus Scheme) keeps bringing you back and they are great.
“She'll go back over hurdles now and we'll see, but she might go to Galway. I'll talk to the boys (Lorcan Cribbin and Kieran Leavy) and we'll let her tell us."
(Quotes by Donal Murphy)