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Punchestown 2024
Punchestown 2024
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Review leopardstown 9th Jan
Willie Mullins saddled a one-two in the feature MCR Hurdle at Leopardstown as Final Approach led home Call The Police
Thankfully for Mullins they came home in the right order as the winner is owned by MCR managing director Douglas Taylor.
Well backed from 14-1 into 6s, Paul Townend kept on the inside before taking up the running before the last for a two-length win.
"It was fantastic. It's not often a plan comes together like that. Paul got there a bit soon, but made up his mind and won well," said Mullins.
"His last run gave some encouragement because he shaped as if he was going to win, but just got tired.
"In races like that you need to get all the breaks. He's not a big horse so we'll probably just stay handicapping. This was probably his Derby."
Gordon Elliott's Jessies Dream lost his unbeaten record over fences when a sticky jump at the last meant he was unable to reel in Dessie Hughes' Magnanimity (9-4).
The winner was given quotes ranging from 16-1 to 66-1 for the RSA Chase at Cheltenham.
"At Leopardstown when you jump the last it is a long way up that hill so I hadn't given up. He's 100% honest," said Hughes.
"We'll go for the Dr P.J. Moriarty Chase next and he will have an entry in the RSA Chase at Cheltenham."
Hughes then doubled up with Rare Bob (10-1) who earned himself a possible crack at the Grand National in the Toe Pick Six Every Sunday Leopardstown Handicap Chase.
"He was really sparkling. He was in good form before the race and I was hoping he'd be allowed to make it," said Hughes.
"He could be a National horse. He won that off 145 so he won't have too much weight, especially if Denman runs."
Dermot Weld Waaheb (11-8 favourite) also looked a smart recruit in winning the www.leopardstown.com (Pro-Am) INH Flat Race but Cheltenham is not on his agenda.
"I think he'll make a very nice hurdle horse and a chaser, but he's still very immature and I think we'll go to Limerick for the championship bumper there then we'll leave him off for the summer and go jumping next autumn," said Weld