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Punchestown 2024
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Alan Magee
Johann is Bach in the winners enclosure
Johann Bach and Donnacha O'Brien win the apprentice handicap
© Photo Healy Racing
Johann Bach has proved a tremendous servant to young Rhode trainer Patrick Harney, and the six-year-old gelding completed a hat-trick when taking the Stephen Quirke Memorial Apprentice Handicap in fine style at the Curragh.
The 9/2 chance, successful in recent months at both Tipperary and Galway, was sent to the front inside the final quarter mile by Donnacha O'Brien.
The son of Oratorio kept on well inside the final furlong of this mile event to beat Hat Alnasar by a length and a quarter, with 4/1 Maknificent putting in his best work at the finish another length and a half away in third.
Patrick Harney, "He's done it nicely, and I didn't go too hard on him since his last win at Galway.
"He's been on the go for a while and hopefully we can get another run into him before he gets a break. Dundalk gives us another option, and Donnacha gave him a lovely ride."