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Punchestown 2024
Punchestown 2024
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- Review gowran park 22nd Jan
Review gowran park 22nd Jan
Dedigout and Bryan Cooper
© Photo Healy Racing
There was excitement at Gowran Park as Dedigout prevailed in a thrilling renewal of the John Mulhern Galmoy Hurdle.
Long-time leader Zaidpour was joined in the straight by Tony Martin's charge and Monksland and that trio jumped the last together.
It was the latter who emerged in front and looked set to land the Grade Two contest, but the 7-2 chance rallied under Bryan Cooper and got the nod from the judge after crossing the line together with Noel Meade's runner.
Leading owner Rich Ricci gained compensation for Zaidpour's defeat when his Djakadam landed in the Goffs Thyestes Handicap Chase in style.
Disappointing when sent off favourite for the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury in November, he made his odds of 9-2 look very generous as he put in a fine round of jumping to give Willie Mullins an incredible sixth win in the contest.
Ruby Walsh hadn't asked his mount for everything when his only danger The Job Is Right fell at the last, which allowed My Murphy to claim an eight-length second.
The Mullins-Walsh-Ricci axis had a successful start to the afternoon when Dicosimo made an winning Irish debut in the Nugent Spirit 25 Horsebox Hurdle.
The French import was sent straight to the front by Walsh and although Thunder Zone and Prussian Eagle loomed up in the straight, the 4-6 favourite quickened clear nicely when asked the question and went on to score by seven and a half lengths from the latter.
The same connections had an odds-on shot in the Langton House Hotel Maiden Hurdle courtesy of Royal Caviar but he had to settle for second behind Cliff House (9-2).
The favourite looked to be travelling best turning for home but had no answers when challenged by John Joe Walsh's runner, who scooted three and a half lengths clear in impressive fashion.
Mullins completed a treble when his son, Patrick, partnered Stone Hard (4-11fav) to an impressive 14-length victory over Shady Rondo in the closing P.J. Foley Memorial Flat Race.
The Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Hurdle produced a pulsating finish, with Dick Dunde