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Punchestown 2024
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Willie & Patrick take the last with Zuzka
Zuzka sprints clear of her rivals under Patrick Mullins
© Photo Healy Racing
Champion trainer Willie Mullins and his son champion amateur rider Patrick recorded their first winner of the new National Hunt season as newcomer Zuzka (11/4 this morning, returned the 5/4 favourite) took the Loughnagore INH Flat Race in convincing fashion.
The 5yo daughter of Flemensfirth (second winner of the evening for that sire after Coldwinters raced in mid-division early on but took closer order from over six furlongs out.
She travelled kindly from over four furlongs out and with a furlong left to race she took over from William Money who had attempted to make all, staying on strongly when ridden to score by five and a half lengths.
The Colin Bowe trained William Money plugged on to take second at 33/1 under Barry O’Neill while Be My Shabra was a further length and a quarter back in third at 25/1 under Lenny Flynn.
The winner is the sixth horse owned by the Supreme Horse Racing Club to race and it is their sixth winner.
Hats And Heels won two races for them while Pique Sous, Supreme Carolina and Letherbelucky all won one each.
Winning rider Patrick Mullins said afterwards: "She is a very well bred mare.
"We have leased a few mares off Ken Parkhill and he has done a great job in preparing them.
"She will win hurdle races and could even go for some of those 1m 6f amateur flat races.
"She has a few gears and she did what we hoped she would do."
The winner is a half-sister to Puffin Billy who won a bumper on his debut at Fontwell in March in impressive fashion for his trainer Oliver Sherwood.
Donal Murphy & Alan Magee