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Punchestown 2024
Punchestown 2024
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Curragh preview
Naas winner Dali will be in action in the feature contest
© Photo Healy Racing
The Eleanor Comer Memorial Race is the most valuable contest on what is a low-key card by the Curragh's standards, but there could be plenty of pointers for the future from this juvenile test.
Aidan O'Brien runs both Dali and Fleet Review with Seamie Heffernan opting to ride the former who struggled in Listed company last time after scoring at Naas.
O'Brien is unlikely to have it all his own way, though, as Michael O'Callaghan's I Am Power and the Ger Lyons-trained Blue Uluru both scored on their respective debuts and are taking their next step.
O'Brien has a trio of runners in the first race on the card at 2.25, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden. Nelson has the benefit of experience and the son of Frankel is a half-brother to US Army Ranger, while Fightfortheroses is closely related to Derby winner Pour Moi.
Another son of Galileo, Kew Gardens completes the Ballydoyle trio, with the most likely opposition coming from Michael Halford's three-time runner-up Yulong Warrior and Joust who was a fair fifth on his debut at this track for Jessie Harrington.
The Curragh 'Where Champions Are Made' Fillies And Mares Maiden sees Pat Smullen keep the ride on recent course runner-up Kailee who is the top-rated in the field and could prove stronger than Covetous and Bay Of Skaill
The Kildare Post Maiden pits a pair of trainers usually not associated with the same types of race, as Fozzy Stack's Coolmore-owned sprinter Hark has hit second career start against the Henry De Bromhead-trained Conversely who has gone close on a number of occasions despite his handler being better known for hurdlers and chasers.
An enormous field for the Experience It With racehorseownership.ie Handicap is headed by Mo Henry who will find Steelriver Alans Pride and Mr Michael stiff opposition, while the Luke And Nellie Comer Memorial Handicap could be between Enter The Red and Palavicini Run