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Punchestown 2024
Punchestown 2024
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- Review cork 14th Jun
Review cork 14th Jun
Pat Smullen landed a terrific treble highlighted by Grace O'Malley in the Kerry Group Noblesse Stakes.
The champion jockey, successful earlier on En Un Clin D'Oeil (7-1) and Snaefell (15-8 favourite), only partnered the Dermot Weld-trained filly as his intended mount Profound Beauty was a late withdrawal because of the ground.
But he had to work hard on the 15-2 shot, who was all out to hold Tanoura by a short head.
Weld said: "I walked the course before racing and took out Profound Beauty as the ground was firm in patches of the course.
"It was unfortunate to have to take her out but the race worked out very well for us in the end.
"Grace O'Malley had a hard race there and Pat gave her an excellent ride and we were very lucky to avoid Always Beautiful when she pulled up quickly down the back straight.
"We'll now take a chance and run Grace O'Malley in the Oaks at the Curragh. She is entitled to run there."
Smullen enjoyed an armchair ride on Michael Halford's Snaffle in the Charleville Cheese Race as the grey romped in by five lengths.
"Snaefell has been a wonderful servant for us and that should do his confidence good following a sluggish run the last day," said Halford.
"He was entitled to win today but he seems to be relaxing a lot more now and he should stay seven furlongs."
Smullen's spree began on En Un Clin D'Oeil when Joanna Morgan's newcomer responded to his rider's urgings to land the Cheestrings EBF Auction Maiden by a head from Ashton Lane < Love Lockdown the 11-8 favourite, completed a hat-trick with a game win in the Kerry Spring Water Rochestown Stakes at Cork.
He made virtually all the running under Keagan Latham and had enough in the tank to keep King Ledley at bay by a neck.
"Love Lockdown may not be the most talented horse in the world but he is the most professional horse I have ever brought to the races," said trainer Ger Lyons.
"He should get further and the way he races, the sky is the limit for him. I'm delighted we didn't go to Royal Ascot. We need to put down our marker