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Punchestown 2024
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Michael Graham
Calibrate gives Weld and Smullen double
Calibrate, near side, has too much for Laviniad at Gowran Park
© Photo Healy Racing
Calibrate was strongly fancied to deliver in the closing fillies' maiden and the market got it right as Pat Smullen drove her home by three parts of a length.
After catching many an eye on debut at Galway before getting bogged down on the heavy ground, she appreciated the quicker going here tonight.
The 5/4 favourite (from 5/2 this morning) moved into the front rank together with Laviniad with two to go in the extended nine furlong race.
The pair pulled well clear of the remainder and fought out the finish with Calibrate answering the call best. Laviniad (10/1) put in a good performance on debut for Jim Bolger and Ronan Whelan, only giving best in the last 100 yards.
This brought up a double for Dermot Weld who said: “That was a good performance and she had to battle. I’d say it was a decent maiden and we’ll see what the handicapper does.”
It was eight lengths back to third-placed Snow Scene at 8/1.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee