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Punchestown 2024
Punchestown 2024
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Michael Graham
Edwardian surges home for Moore
Edwardian, left, comes home strongly
© Photo Healy Racing
Edwardian put in plenty of good late work to get off the mark in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden in Naas.
This imposing No Nay Never colt finished runner-up on debut at Tipperary behind a subsequent Listed winner which saw him go off 4/6 favourite for this five-furlong sprint.
The field split into two groups of five and Edwardian was last of his quintet on the stands' side, and off the bridle, racing to the final furlong.
Ryan Moore soon switched him out to attack and the favourite really engaged his stride with 150 yards to go. His relentless progress saw him grab the lead with just over 50 yards to go and he won going away by a length and a-quarter.
Ado McGuinness' newcomer Perfect Judgement made six figures at the sales and ran a fine race in second at 9/1. Branding improved from an opening seventh at the Curragh to come home third at 8/1.
Aidan O'Brien said: "He's a big No Nay Never and he's a massive influence for speed. He handled the soft, they usually do, but he's a very good mover. He's a fast horse, a five/six furlong horse.
“He did well because he broke very slowly, he was very babyish. Ryan liked him, he finished out strong.
“He'll go into a Group race now. I asked Ryan how far he would stay and he said he wouldn't be sure how far he would stay, five or six. He's a quick horse.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson