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Punchestown 2024
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Donal Murphy
O'Brien's taking all the Glory at Naas
National Glory and Donnacha O'Brien pictured on their way to victory
© Photo Healy Racing
National Glory completed a quick treble for Donnacha O'Brien, and a double for his brother Joseph, as he ran out an easy winner of the O'Neill & Co. Chartered Surveyors & Auctioneers Maiden.
Having took the opener on Focus Of Attention the winning rider then teamed-up with his father Aidan when successful on North Wind in the second.
Placed on his last four start, National Glory was expected to get off the mark today, going off the 1/4 favourite having been available at 8/13 in early shows.
Prominent throughout, the bay victor held a definite advantage from halfway. He was pushed along over a furlong out and soon went clear, keeping on well from there to score easily by two lengths. Chillala (25s to 16s on-course) ran a fine race to finish second under Killian Leonard for Fergal Birrane, while Elegant Lass (33/1) was another four lengths back in third for Tom Gibney and Colin Keane.
"He had bumped into a couple of decent horses in a few maidens and was entitled to go and win one," the winning trainer said.
"He's probably better at seven but it's nice that he got the job done and it's great to get another winner for Sun Bloodstock. I think we've had 10 or 11 seconds and that's our third winner. The horses having been running well but knocking on the door a bit.
"I think he could step into Listed company somewhere. He'll either step into a premier handicap or a Listed race. He's rated 82 and there might be a little bit more to come."
Additional reporting by Gary Carson