Search
Punchestown 2024
Punchestown 2024
- irishracing.com
- Punchestown
- News
- Review thurles 20th Mar
Review thurles 20th Mar
Mikael d'Haguenet leads over the last for Mikey Fogarty
© Photo Healy Racing
Willie Mullins' Mikael D'Haguenet may never have hit the heights he promised when bursting onto the scene five years ago, but he prove too classy for his three rivals in the Thurles Racecourse Hurdle.
Less favoured at 7-4 than his stablemate Mourad Mikael D'Haguenet tracked the favourite throughout until hitting the front on the home turn.
Despite a clumsy leap at the last, he was in command under Mikey Fogarty and was eased down to beat Gold Patrol by two and a half lengths.
Rodger Sweeney's Fiery Oscar (10-3) bounced back to form with a solid success in the Jimmy Neville Memorial Handicap Chase.
Held up towards the rear by Colman Sweeney, he made steady headway up the back straight and hit the front after the second last.< Leap Dearg gave chase in the closing stages, but Fiery Oscar was too strong, winning by a length and a half.
Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning trainer Jim Culloty's rich vein of form continued in less austere surroundings when Prince Of Lombardy landed the Devil's Bit Maiden Hurdle.
Davy Russell had a clear advantage at the last on the evens favourite, but a slight blunder let Honey Pound renew his challenge, though Culloty's charge had enough momentum to score by two lengths.< Ballysteen showed plenty of grit to land the Templemore Beginners Chase.
The 13-2 chance pulled out plenty for Kevin Sexton in the straight, eventually scoring by 10 lengths from Bar Stool Bob < Coole Avenue was another to show plenty of determination to shrug off his rivals in the Cashel Beginners Chase.
Tom Cooper's 5-1 chance had plenty of company on the turn for home, but found more for Joe Holly's urgings to beat Stoney by six and a half lengths.
Do Be Doin' (20-1) travelled sweetly for Shane Hassett before landing the Clonoulty Handicap Hurdle.