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Punchestown 2024
Punchestown 2024
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Review curragh 24th May
Johnny Murtagh enjoyed a stroll on Mastercraftsman but, 24 hours later, had to work much harder in order to complete a Classic double on Again in the Boylesport.com Irish 1000 Guineas.
Making her seasonal debut, last year's Moyglare winner, sent off the 5-2 market leader, was off the bridle from some way out as Lahaleeb shot clear.
But Murtagh refused to surrender and Again really responded to his urgings, collaring Mick Channon's filly close home for a neck verdict, giving David Wachman is first Classic. Oh Goodness Me took third.
Murtagh supplemented his Classic success when getting up in the last stride on Grand Ducal in the Group Three Airlie Stud Gallinule Stakes. Aidan O'Brien's 7-1 shot came with a late swoop to deny favourite Alaivan by a head.
Murtagh was also in the money for Willie Mullins, driving home Sesenta in the Boylesports Best Price Guaranteed Handicap. The 2-1 favourite was headed by Speed Ticket but Murtagh conjured another run out of her and she got back up by a head.< Casual Conquest broke his Group One duck in emphatic fashion in the Tattersalls Gold Cup.
The 11-4 chance had been beaten at Newmarket on his reappearance but was bounced straight into the lead by Pat Smullen and never saw a rival in the mile-and-a-quarter contest.
Stablemate Famous Name tried to throw down a challenge but he couldn't get close and finished five and a half lengths adrift at the line. Trainer Dermot Weld indicated the Arc is the winner's ultimate goal.
Jim Bolger introduced a promising newcomer when L'Impresario (6-1), a half-brother to Antonius Pius, beat odds-on favourite Changingoftheguard in the Boylesports 143 Shops Nationwide Maiden. The Coolcullen handler doubled up with Slieve Mish in the Boylemobile.com Handicap.< Alshahbaa (7-2) also struck at the first time of asking and the way she dismissed her rivals in the Boylecasino.com EBF Maiden suggests she's a juvenile worth following.