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Punchestown 2024
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Alan Magee
Utah earns 2017 Derby quotes after win
Utah (left) and Seamie Heffernan score in fine style
© Photo Healy Racing
Utah showed the benefit of his debut run at Leopardstown last month when justifying favouritism in the Anglesey Lodge Equine Hospital EBF Maiden at the Curragh.
The 11/10 market leader made virtually all in this mile event, and stayed on well inside the final furlong for Seamie Heffernan to score by two and a quarter lengths.
Stable-companion The Anvil kept on nicely on his debut to complete a 1-2 for Ballydoyle, while the gambled-on Grandee (10/1-7/2) took a while to extricate himself from a pocket off the rail but couldn’t make any headway when in the clear eventually finishing third.
Aidan O’Brien said, “The first day at Leopardstown, Seamie said he didn’t get the clearest of runs and was very green.
“He got a quick position today, and galloped all the way to the line. He was not stopping in front but was still having a look around, and will improve again.”
The Galileo full-brother to Investec Derby runner-up At First Sight is 33/1 with Boylesports to go one better at Epsom next June, while Betfair have introduced him at 25/1.