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Punchestown 2024
Punchestown 2024
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- Review down royal 5th Feb
Review down royal 5th Feb
Didntitellya (Paul Carberry) puts in a fine jump at the last
© Photo Healy Racing
Noel Meade and Paul Carberry enjoyed a double at Down Royal with Blissful Moment (7-1) getting the ball rolling when landing the St. Patrick's Punter Pack Handicap Chase.
It was no surprise to see those horses towards the bottom of the handicap come to the fore on testing ground and Meade's charge was full of running entering the straight before he gamely held the rallying Witness Of Fashion by a length and three quarters.
It was the same trainer/jockey combination that graced the winning enclosure in the N.I. Hotels Federation Beginners Chase when Didntitellya (8-1) reigned supreme.
The son of Presenting clearly improved for the switch to the larger obstacles on his chase debut and ran out an impressive three-and-a-half-length victor.
Another trainer in good form was Philip Rothwell, as he saddled the first two home in the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Chase courtesy of Mark Me Up (5-1) and Popaflora
The nine-year-old found his second wind after the final flight before registering a cosy one-and-three-quarter-length success under Andrew Ring.
Rothwell continued the winning thread and doubled up with Divine Rhapsody (8-1) in the Weatherbys Cheltenham Festival Betting Guide Novice Handicap Hurdle.
This time it was Brian O'Connell doing the steering as he beat Cassells Rock by one and three quarter lengths.< Say It Again piled more misery on favourite backers in the Sean Graham Bookmakers Maiden Hurdle as he upset the odds at 25-1.
Noel Hynds' charge was brave in his bid to make all and Andrew McNamara kept him up to his work as he beat the well-backed Leavethelighton by four and a quarter lengths.< Gold Not Silver (3-1 joint-favourite) was successful in the Bet With The Tote Handicap Hurdle for Adrian Joyce and champion jockey Davy Russell, while the well-bred Red House Hill (6-1) scored in the Dark Horse Wine Bar At Down Royal Flat Race for Charles Byrnes and 7lb claimer David O'Leary.