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Punchestown 2024
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- Stormin' Norman Tipping Away against the favourite
Michael Graham
Stormin' Norman Tipping Away against the favourite
Tipping Away, left, gets away from the last in front
© Photo Healy Racing
Tipping Away rallied to great effect in the two mile maiden hurdle at Clonmel.
There was early drama in the race as the leader Aboutagout cocked his jaw and ran out at the second flight. Tipping Away, in a close second, appeared to be distracted and jinked at the flight causing Simon Torrens to lose his irons.
He was left in the lead and Torrens regained his irons just in time to jump the next hurdle. From there the pair were tracked by odds-on favourite Envious Editor and Robbie Power.
The 'jolly' appeared to be going the better of the pair as he held a slight advantage racing to the second last.
The leader was ridden before the last but Tipping Away was far from down on his inner and joined him jumping it.
Envious Editor hit the flight as Tipping Away went for home. The pursuer had nothing left to give and, indeed, it was Toofareastiswest who rattled home to keep Tipping Away honest all the way to the line.
Tipping Away obliged at 14/1 by a neck from fast-finishing Toofareastiswest (20/1) with Envious Editor (8/13f) two and three quarter lengths adrift in third.
Trainer Norman Lee said: "There was a 4/5 shot in the race but we go by the line 'don't be afraid of one horse' and I told the owner we are going to have a go and take them on from the word go.
"Simon gave him a great ride because he was nearly taken out but sat well and did well to get his stirrup back.
"I told him bounce out and I support those jockeys that do what they're told.
"He loves soft ground and we'll go for a novice next, and he'll go chasing next season.
"It's great for Rose and John Davitt who have had two winners in a week and the hard work is starting to pay off with our horses."
Additional reporting by Tom Weekes