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Punchestown 2024
Punchestown 2024
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Review punchestown 18th May
The Henry de Bromhead-trained Loosen My Load followed in the hoofprints of stablemate and subsequent Arkle hero Sizing Europe when making a successful start to his career over fences in the Motivate Challenge Beginners Chase at Punchestown.
Dessie Hughes' mare Trimbellina was sent into a clear lead in the two-and-a half-mile contest, and she still had a dozen lengths in hand halfway down the back straight.
However, Andrew Lynch remained patient on 7-4 favourite Loosen My Load and the Grade Two-winning hurdler started eating into the advantage approaching three out.
He leapt to the front at the final obstacle and although the gallant Trimbellina held the rest at bay, she was three and a half lengths behind the winner as he coasted past the post.< Kahuna s attempts to make all in the www.motivatechallenge.com Chase were narrowly denied close home by the fast-finessing 14-1 chance Schelm
Ronald O'Leary's charge had recorded his two previous fencing victories on British soil but bounced back from a disappointing effort over hurdles at Killarney to take the spoils by half a length under David Casey.
Barry Geraghty gave Sandymount Lady a typically strong ride to land some hefty bets in the Motivate Challenge Supporting Barretstown Maiden Hurdle.
Jessica Harrington's mare was sent off the 11-10 favourite following a host of non-runners and although hitting the front between the final two flights, she began to idle on the run-in.
Stable companion Common Alliance and Spill The Beans were flashing home at the death but the winner dug deep for Geraghty and held the former by a head, with the third home the same distance in arrears.
Daniel Miley's strong-travelling mare Caffeine Craze (6-1) relished the fast ground when obliging for favourite-backers in division one of the Motivate & Discounted Entry In The Evening Herald Handicap Hurdle, while Top Strategy sprang a 25-1 shocker in division two.
Harrington put the seal on a fine evening when Bullock Harbour owned and ridden by Barry Connell, won the concluding bum