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Punchestown 2024
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- Count Salazar wins thriller at Tramore
Michael Graham
Count Salazar wins thriller at Tramore
Count Salazar over the last in front of Torremuelle
© Photo Healy Racing
The tricky camera angle at Tramore found out exchange punters betting on the photo finish as Torremuelle was backed down to 1/4 to be called the winner, but he lost by a nose to Count Salazar in the handicap chase.
There was drama on the approach to two out as 4/5 favourite Ponmeworld slipped up on the bend when racing third. This left Count Salazar to try and outlast Torremuelle.
A slow jump at the last by the leader Count Salazar allowed Torremuelle and Ben Dalton in and it looked like he had prevailed in a driving finish to the line but Count Salazar and Shay Barry on the inside just held on at 7/1, having been weak in the betting ring from 5/1.
“I thought he was beaten. He had great point-to-point form, but he lost his way a bit. His confidence will be back after that," Count Salazar's trainer Eoin Doyle said.
“He’ll go for another handicap chase now. He loves that ground.”
Torremuelle was second at 16/1 and the pair were well clear of Urban Gale in third also at 16/1.
Ponmeworld was found to be ok, but winded after the race.
Ben Dalton was given a three-day ban for using his whip above the shoulder on runner-up Torremuelle.
(Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes)