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Punchestown 2024
Punchestown 2024
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- Affair benefits from Smullen's advice
Affair benefits from Smullen's advice
Pat Smullen inadvertently worked against himself by giving trainer Vincent Ward some valuable advice which helped End Of The Affair (11/2) land the featured SEPAM Tipperary Perpetual Cup Handicap at the expense of the champion jockey's mount Oneeightofamile
Smullen cut out a lot of the running when partnered the seven-year-old at Leopardstown earlier this month, and his advice to use more patient tactics worked a treat.
Sam James has made a great start to the Flat season, and recorded his fifth victory of the new campaign here when producing the mare to lead just over a furlong out for a three quarter length success over the 11/8 favourite.
Winning trainer Vincent Ward said: “Pat said she was in front too long at Leopardstown the last day, so the plan was to get a lead. I was a bit apprehensive about running on this tight track with such a big mare but you have to go where the races are. She could go for the Grade 3 mares hurdle at Punchestown, although that may be a bit too hot for her and she could go for a winners-of-one instead.”
Chris Hayes, who rode third placed Hunting Tower was given a two day ban for careless riding following an incident early in the straight involving Mubrook and Oneeightofamile.