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Punchestown 2024
Punchestown 2024
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- Cat back on form
Gary Carson
Cat back on form
Curl Cat pulls clear for Rory Cleary
© Photo Healy Racing
Curl Cat sprang a 20/1 shock in the second division of the mile handicap at Dundalk to score for Tom Clearys.
Rory Cleary, riding for his father Tom, produced the long shot with a perfectly timed run at the furlong pole to land the spoils.
Settled mid-division early on he swooped to lead with a furlong to run and powered away in the closing stages to record a three-and-a-quarter length victory.
It was a fourth career success for the gelding and his first since Laytown in September 2011.
It was also a welcome winner for trainer Tom Cleary, who last struck with Miranda's Girl here in October 2011.
"He lost his way a bit," reported Cleary senior. "He had a problem with his hind leg and had some work done on his back in the last few weeks." Samollie was withdrawn after getting under the stalls. He was 6/1 so there was a 10 cent deduction on all bets.
5/2 favourite Thebarberkelly who had landed a gamble on his previous run here, was back in sixth.
Johnny Murtagh picked up a one day whip ban for failing to give his mount Diamond Daze (fourth) time to respond.
(Additional reporting by Alan Magee)