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Punchestown 2024
Punchestown 2024
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- O'Brien dominant in Debutante
O'Brien dominant in Debutante
Magical (Donnacha O'Brien) beats Happily (Ryan Moore)
© Photo Healy Racing
Following on from his one, two, three in the Futurity earlier Aidan O'Brien saddled a 1,2,4 in the Group 2 Cancer Research Debutante Stakes for the fillies at the Curragh. Outsider of the Ballydoyle trio, Magical (11/1) landed the major spoils under Donnacha O'Brien.
She came home with a length and a quarter to spare over the Ryan Moore-ridden Happily (6/4). Mary Tudor filled the third spot for Willie McCreery, whilst September (11/10 favourite, Seamie Heffernan) could manage only fourth.
Aidan O'Brien commented: "She had a lovely run the first day and she was a bit green at Cork and made hard work of it.
"Donnacha was delighted with her today. She's out of a Pivotal mare and handled the ground.
"Donnacha gave her a lovely ride and had her in a good position throughout the race. She stays well and should get well beyond a mile next year.
"Ryan said Happily struggled to quicken and she is able to quicken better on better ground.
"Seamus was a bit the same with September on her first run back. She will come on from that.
"They are all nice fillies and were all coming here with the view to coming back for the Moyglare. Clemmie will go for the Moyglare as well but not if the ground is soft.
"They don't ever be put together at home. That's why we run them so we all get to see them running together."
C.T. Keane, rider of Black Sails (GB) trained by G.M.Lyons, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount ran very keen from the start.
(AM & EM)