Search
Punchestown 2024
Punchestown 2024
- Home
- News
Possible lands a gamble for O'Brien & Dawson
Ray Dawson pushes out Possible to victory from Red Sea Poll (right) back in second
© Photo Healy Racing
The Charles O'Brien trained Possible landed a gamble as she took the Summer BBQ Evenings at Naas Handicap, in good style under seven pound claimer Ray Dawson.
Having opened at 4/1 this morning, the daughter of Pivotal opened on course at 7/2 and was backed into 5/2 favourite at the off.
After racing prominent on the rails in the early stages, the winner moved into the lead well outside the furlong pole.
She kept on well under pressure from there going on to score by a length and a quarter at the finish. Red Sea Poll ran well to take second on her first start of the season under Chris Hayes for Paul Deegan at 20/1 while another Deegan trained filly, Felina finished a further length back in third under Seamie Heffernan at 12/1.
The Mick Halford trained Sunrise Song completed the placings back in fourth under Conor Hoban at 16/1 in the colours of Gigginstown House Stud.
The winner was given a mark of 70 by the handicapper after her three decent efforts in maidens all of which came over six furlongs.
Winning trainer Charles O’Brien said afterwards: "It's nice to get a bracket into her.
"I’m glad they moved this race when it was abandoned at Cork. You can see with the number of runners they are few and far between.
"She will be kept at the same racket and five furlongs is her trip. She might get an easy six furlongs but it would be pushing it.
"It’s hard enough for 3yo sprinters as they have to start taking on the older horses."
Winning rider Ray Dawson, who looks good value for his seven pound claim, was recording his first winner since Eur Elusive won for him at the Curragh in August of last year.
Donal Murphy & Gary Carson