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Punchestown 2024
Punchestown 2024
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- Sir Will green but a winner at 1st attempt
Sir Will green but a winner at 1st attempt
Sir Will, Pa King rail, denies David Mullins (yellow cap) a double on Cape City Boy
© Photo Healy Racing
A bit of reassessment had to take place prior to the concluding Go Racing In Kildare (Pro/Am) Flat Race as favourite Kalopsia had to be withdrawn late. Then winner Sir Will (Pa King for Harry Kelly) had to survive a steward's enquiry before being confirmed victorious.
Sarah O'Brien picked up an injury (possibly to her shoulder but didn't appear to be anything overly serious) when mounting Kalopsia, and that forced this one's withdrawal.
Meanwhile Sir Will was green when taking over from the front-running Killahara Castle The successful Yeats gelding (a half-brothers to winners Que Pasa and Gem Daly) did eventual runner-up Cape City Boy no favours, but he ultimately had every chance and went down by half a length.
"I thought coming here he was going to be green and he was very very green," said Kelly.
"He could be, potentially, a very very good horse. He's the opposite to his sister (Que Pasa) and is lazy more than anything. He could have done with a lead for a lot longer.
"There is plenty of improvement in him as he's a big bull. Thankfully it worked out and he's for sale obviously."
The Stewards enquired into possible interference inside the two furlong marker involving Cape City Boy, ridden by D.J. Mullins, placed second and Killahara Castle, ridden by M.P. Burke, placed third, where it appeared that Cape City Boy was left tight for room on the inside and a further incident outside the one furlong pole involving Cape City Boy, Killahara Castle and Sir Will, placed first, ridden by Mr P.A. King where it appeared that Cape City Boy was receiving pressure from Killahara Castle as Sir Will was gaining the lead over both of them.
Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards made no alteration to the Judges' placings. They did, however, caution both Mr P.A. King and M.P. Burke to ride with more care.
(GC & EM)