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Punchestown 2024
Punchestown 2024
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- Review navan 20th Oct
Review navan 20th Oct
Johnny Murtagh believes Recital could develop into a Classic contender after an impressive debut success at Navan.
The Aidan O'Brien stable have dominated the Trim Maiden in recent years and their monopoly of the mile event continued as Recital earned a 33-1 quote for the Investec Derby at Epsom in June.
A half-brother to Prix Ganay winner Corre Caminos, he was weak in the market, drifting out to 7-2 before being backed into the 5-2 favourite.
The 750,000 guineas son of Montjeu showed signs of greenness before his ability kicked in as he powered past the race-fit Giants Seraphis close home to score by a length and a quarter.
"It rode like a proper race, and he picked up well," said Murtagh.
"He's a big, green horse who stays well and has plenty of class. You may see him in the first week of June next year."
Murtagh and O'Brien completed a double when the well-backed 6-4 favourite Table Mountain ran out a convincing two-and-a-half-length winner of the Navan Gold President Handicap.
O'Brien had to settle for second best with the Seamie Heffernan-ridden Freedom who was collared close home by Midnight Music (6-1) in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Maiden.
Pat Smullen was at his strongest to get the Dermot Weld-trained filly home by a neck with Alayir just a further short-head back in third.
"She's a nice filly and had a good run at the Curragh. She battled well and it was a good, strong ride by Pat," said Weld.< Waydownsouth struck for the fourth time in his last five starts when landing division one of the Navan Lady Gold Captain Handicap.
Jockey Danny Grant was registering his first win since suffering facial injuries in a fall at Dundalk earlier this month when he brought home the 9-2 favourite clear by three and a half lengths.
"That will probably be it for the season. I was a bit worried that this was coming a bit soon after his last win at the Curragh, but he did it well," said trainer Pat Flynn.