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Punchestown 2024
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Review curragh 18th Jul
Covert Love, near side, approaches the winning post in the Curragh
© Photo Healy Racing
Pat Smullen was the star of the day at the Curragh, capping a magnificent treble with victory on Covert Love in the Darley Irish Oaks.< Together Forever shot off in front and built up a big lead, but Smullen was alive to the gap and was among the principals in the remaining group, before taking over two furlongs out.< Jack Naylor and Curvy ran on late, but Hugo Palmer's 7-1 chance had flown, and she recorded a length and three-quarters success
Smullen made it two when Stepper Point responded to his every call to make every yard in the Invincible Spirit Sapphire Stakes.
Although odds-on favourite Mecca's Angel did all she could to overhaul William Muir's pacesetter, the 6-1 chance proved a very willing partner for Smullen, boxing on well to take the Group Two by a neck.
The betting seemed to suggest Smullen was on Sabrina Harty's second string in Have A Nice Day (6-1), but he charged to victory in the Kilsaran International Handicap.< Final Frontier made it two wins from as many starts when landing the Jebel Ali Racecourse And Stables Anglesey Stakes.
Jessie Harrington's colt was an emphatic winner of a maiden at this venue and was sent off the 5-6 favourite as a result, but he was made to work hard after hitting the front a furlong out under Shane Foley, as Miss Katie Mae charged up the rail and may have been squeezed for room by the winner, who scored by a neck.
Aidan O'Brien's Shogun eased to victory in the Darley EBF Maiden.
The 6-4 favourite cruised upsides Sunglider before kicking away to score by two and a quarter lengths under Joseph O'Brien.
A brilliant late burst gave Johnny Murtagh's Stroll Patrol (20-1) a surprise victory in the evoke.ie Sprint Handicap under Andrea Atzeni.
Nina Carberry landed the Boodles Ladies Derby Handicap aboard Tommy Stack's Tooreen Legend (10-1).