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Punchestown 2024
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Preview curragh 13th Sep
Anamba hits the front in Leopardstown
© Photo Healy Racing
The conclusion of Irish Champions Weekend sees three Group One contests at the Curragh, culminating in the Palmerstown House Estate Irish St. Leger, which sees Brown Panther attempt to defend his crown, despite being on the sidelines since May.
He will have to return in top form too, as Dermot Weld runs star stayer Forgotten Rules, while Wicklow Brave represents Willie Mullins and Aidan O'Brien saddles both Kingfisher and Order Of St George.
O'Brien has a trio of runners in the Goofs Vincent O'Brien National Stakes, with Phoenix Stakes hero Air Force Blue the pick of the trio, though perhaps of greater interest is Jim Bolger's Herald The Dawn.
After winning his maiden at Naas, the New Approach colt ran well to land a Group Two over the same course and distance as this and there looks to be plenty of improvement to come.
The Coolmore team naming a horse Ballydoyle was always going to produce plenty of attention, and the Galileo filly appears to be living up to the hype, winning cosily in Group Two company last time.
She tackles the top level in the Moyglare Stud Stakes and could be hard to stop, though Weld runs Tanaza, unbeaten in two starts, while Sweet Solera Stakes winner Blue Bayou heads the British duo.
A pair of Group Twos provide ample support to the main events, with recent Renaissance Stakes winner Moviesta bidding to follow up against Sole Power and Maarek in the Derrinstown Stud Flying Five Stakes.
A clutch of classy middle-distance fillies take in the Moyglare "Jewels" Blandford Stakes, with British raiders Ribbons and Lady Tiana taking on O'Brien's Tapestry and Outstanding, while French filly Kataniya adds a European flavour.
Reckless Endeavour could be the form horse in the mammoth field for the Tattersalls Ireland Super Auction Sales Race, while Russian Soul tops the weights for the Irish Stallion Farms EBF "Bold Lad" Sprint Handicap, which gets the meeting under way at 2.00.