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Punchestown 2024
Punchestown 2024
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- Review ballinrobe 31st May
Review ballinrobe 31st May
< Snap Alam (2-1) was a cosy winner in the end of the Tipperary Water Median Auction Maiden, on what turned out to be a dramatic evening as heavy rain fell before racing.
Pat Smullen had to switch the Joanna Morgan-trained winner in the straight but they were not hard-pushed to overhaul long-time leader The Silver Crown
However, Smullen's mount had a scare early on, as the rider explained: "We were very lucky to stand up when she slipped on one of the early bends."
"It was to our benefit that the favourite (Super Say) slipped up more than we did."
The second race was delayed for around 20 mins as groundstaff sanded the bends and when the action eventually got under way again, it was a double for Smullen as he got Anaverna home for Dermot Weld in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Race.
Sent off the 7-4 favourite, the winner was meeting runner-up Alshahbaa much worse terms than she would have done had the race been a handicap.
Smullen said: "She stuck at it well and they went a very good pace. She did very well to get by the leader in the straight."
However, with the rain showing no sign of relenting, a decision was taken to abandon the remaining two Flat events in the interests of safety.
When racing resumed with the Mulholland Bookmakers Maiden Hurdle, Your Busy (6-1) proved aptly-named with a storming run from the last to overhaul Acclaimed
The latter held a definite advantage at the final flight but was not as fluent as the eventual winner.
Trainer James Nash said: "We decided to chance him back in a maiden and I thought his experience would count for a lot and Alan (Crowe) gave him a fantastic ride.
"He'll be a fine big chaser in time, but we'll try and win another hurdle with him first."
Sean McDermott shone on Gudnis Gracious Me in the I.T.B.A (Western Region) Mares Handicap Hurdle as a positive ride was rewarded with a half-length verdict over Dancera