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Punchestown 2024
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- Review leopardstown 6th Feb
Review leopardstown 6th Feb
Sam Twiston-Davies rider of Connetable
© Photo Healy Racing
< Carlingford Lough came from last to first to land the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown.
John Kiely's charge won the race last year but was a 20-1 chance this season, and had it all to do on the turn for home as Valseur Lido cruised into the lead under a motionless Ruby Walsh.
However, Willie Mullins' charge unshipped his rider at the last and Mark Walsh found a willing partner in Carlingford Lough, who charged up the straight to beat Road To Riches by 12 lengths.
Mullins may have tasted agonising defeat in the big race, but his domination was never more evident than on the rest of the card, as he landed three Grade Ones, including Outlander s win in the Flogas Novice Chase.
The 13-8 favourite tracked stablemate Pont Alexandre throughout and took over two out, before keeping on well to beat the staying-on Monksland by two and three-quarter lengths.
Mullins landed the Deloitte Novice Hurdle with Bleu Et Rouge who battled bravely for Barry Geraghty.
The 11-1 chance had Tombstone for company jumping the last, but he found plenty on the run-in to score by three lengths.
Mullins completed a one-two-three in the GAIN Spring Juvenile Hurdle.< Footpad (14-1) charged into the lead at the last under Danny Mullins, before staying on to beat Allblak Des Places by two and three-quarter lengths, with Let's Dance in third.
Mullins made it a four-timer, and a double for Geraghty, when Blazer (9-2) landed the 1888 Restaurant Handicap Hurdle.
Liam Cusack's Who's That (12-1) travelled all over her rivals in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Handicap Hurdle for Sean McDermott, but was all out to hold on from Leaders Questions at the line.
Jockey Barry O'Neill's joy at winning the Leopardstown Inn Hunters Chase will have been short-lived as his mount You Must Know Me (9-1) broke down crossing the line and had to be put down.