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Punchestown 2024
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Donal Murphy
Slipper & McGovern do it again
The grey Slipper Orchid is driven out close home by Conor McGovern
© Photo Healy Racing
After winning over the course last Friday Conor McGovern and Slipper Orchid repeated the feat this evening as they took the valuable Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Handicap.
McGovern recorded his first success aboard the grey daughter of Verglas last week and he doubled his tally aboard the Carol Roper owned five-year-old this evening.
Trained by Mick Halford the now seven time winner was sent off the 11/4 second favourite with the well-backed Maremmadiavola going off the market leader at 5/2 (from 7/2).
Settled in mid-division she was ridden from two furlongs out and was switched to the outer to challenge with just over a furlong to race.
She hit the front inside the final 50 yards and she kept on well to score by a length. Kiss The Stars finished second at 12/1 under Connor King for Tom McCourt while the aforementioned favourite was a short head back in third under Chris Hayes for Eddie Lynam.
Mick Halford said afterwards: "She's unbelievably genuine and the 10lb is obviously a big help. Conor gave her a lovely ride.
"She'll come back here for the Listed Cooley Stakes. She's Listed placed already. She loves it around here and has had a wonderful week.
"I'm delighted for Conor. She is a lovely ride. She settles and does everything right and gives the young lads a chance to concentrate on what they should be doing.
"I'm delighted for Carol Roper. When I suggest a rider for her it's never a problem and it's great to have a filly like her to get the lads going."
Additional reporting by Gary Carson