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Punchestown 2024
Punchestown 2024
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- Review naas 7th Jul
Review naas 7th Jul
Aidan O'Brien may have been out of luck with favourite Lillie Langtry finishing unplaced at Newmarket but a double at Naas offered some slight compensation.
While the Coronation Stakes winner flopped in the Falmouth, Queen Of Spain made no such mistake in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden.
Partnered by Seamus Heffernan, the 2-7 favourite was in front from the off and never looked like being caught as she strolled home by five lengths.
The Ballydoyle team then doubled up as Rudolf Valentino was a similarly easy victor in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden.
Heffernan again set out to make all on the 8-13 market leader and he barely came out of third gear in winning by six lengths from Bintan
"He's improving all of the time and has a great attitude," said the winning rider.< Coastal Waters (9-2) demonstrated her battling qualities as she edged out Blaze Brightly by a head in the Abbey Electrical Handicap.
Shane Foley built up a clear advantage early on but the filly began to toil in the final furlong, being headed before getting back up on the line.
Winning trainer Michael Halford said: "She fought back very well. If she'd give herself a chance she'd get further, she just needs to chill.
"We'll go for another handicap and see how we get on. The small field and the lightweight were ideal here tonight."
Ben Curtis produced College Scholar (6-1) with a perfectly-timed run to deny Eurosmart Lady by half a length in the Michael Higgins & Co Handicap
"This horse has had his problems in the past but seems to be back to himself," said trainer Liam McAteer.
"He has been unlucky in some of his races, he got a brilliant ride from Ben, I told him not to panic and everything worked out well."
"We'll go for the seven furlong race at Galway now, he should get in."