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Punchestown 2024
Punchestown 2024
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- Zakhrafa gains valuable win
Gary Carson
Zakhrafa gains valuable win
Winner for Chris Hayes
© Photo Healy Racing
The Kevin Prendergast-trained Zakhrafa left her previous form behind when claiming the seven-furlong handicap in good style at Roscommon.
Chris Hayes soon had the daughter of Shamardal prominent and the Hamdan Al Maktoum-owned filly travelled well in the lead early in the straight.
She kept on well in the closing stages when asked for an effort to record a length-and-three-quarters victory at odds of 14/1.
"That was important for the pedigree and the operation that it's in," said Hayes.
"She scrubbed in at the bottom of the handicap. She has the option of going to Listowel for a three-year-old only handicap and I'd assume that's still the plan.
"She got a break as she had run well on soft ground earlier in the year without being competitive in maidens. She got into a nice winning grade there and will hopefully improve."