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Punchestown 2024
Punchestown 2024
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Michael Graham
Twilight Jet leads home one-two for O'Callaghan
Twilight Jet, centre, wins by a neck
© Photo Healy Racing
Michael O'Callaghan's Twilight Jet struck close home in the Listed Abergwaun Stakes over the five-furlong trip at Tipperary. Dun Na Sead was there to be shot at but kept rolling in the final furlong, however, Twilight Jet joined her in the closing stages and came home the better.
The 15/8 favouritism won by a neck from fast-finishing stablemate Lokada (11/1) as Dun Na Sead dropped a head further back to third at a well-backed 9/4.
O'Callaghan said: "It was great, I'm delighted to get Twilight Jet's head back in front because he hadn't the most straightforward path to this as he had two surgeries over the winter. He had one for colic and had to have another surgery having slipped so it has been a long time coming back.
"Last year he blitzed them in the Lacken (Stakes), but went to Royal Ascot and was sick for quite a while. This year was about getting him back slowly, race to race.
"He'll go for something like the World Trophy (Group 3 at Newbury) or I might step him up to six (furlongs) but there are a few options for him in the UK. Leigh (Roche) couldn't pull him up today and a stiff five or stepping back up to six will suit.
"Lokada had a lot of headgear on her to try to get her to relax - we have been tricking around with her and always thought she had the ability to get black-type. They went so hard in front that Colin (Keane) was able to get cover to help her relax and she came home well. Today was huge for her and she might be able to win one of these now."
Additional reporting by Tom Weekes