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Punchestown 2024
Punchestown 2024
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- Review fairyhouse 2nd Dec
Review fairyhouse 2nd Dec
Zaidpour flicks over the last ahead of Voler La Vedette, Monksland and So Young
© Photo Healy Racing
< Zaidpour showed he will be a force to be reckoned with this season as he took the Bar One Racing Hatton's Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse on his return to action.
Second to his stablemate Hurricane Fly at Punchestown last April and twice beaten in France since, the Willie Mullins-trained six-year-old was sent off the 7-4 joint-favourite and was settled in third place by Ruby Walsh.
Market rival Voler La Vedette made her move two out, but Walsh tackled the mare going to the last and Zaidpour asserted on the run-in, winning by two and a half lengths as Monksland snatched second spot.
Mullins' Arvika Ligeonniere put in a superb round of jumping from the front to romp away with the Bar One Racing Drinmore Novice Chase to initiate a Walsh double.
The 2-1 shot was allowed a big lead in the Grade One contest and though evens favourite Dedigout gave chase over the final three fences, he never threatened to get in a blow and the winning distance was an easy 11 lengths.< Jezki (9-4) maintained his unbeaten record over obstacles when he lowered the colours of Champagne Fever in what looked a hot renewal of the Grade One Bar One Racing Royal Bond Novice Hurdle.
Barry Geraghty urged Jessie Harrington's four-year-old into contention approaching the last and he collared the front-running favourite on the run-in before being driven a length and a half clear.
Dessie Hughes's 8-11 favourite Our Conor confirmed the promise of his jumps debut victory last month with an impressive success in the Bar One Racing Juvenile 3-Y-O Hurdle. He was in command going to the last under Bryan Cooper and beat Stocktons Wing by two and a half lengths.
Claimer Mark Enright landed a double as Avondhu Lady (10-1) edged out Our Girl Salley by half a length in a tight finish to the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Handicap Chase, before Murchu (12-1) beat Give Us A Hand by a nose in a thrilling three-way call for the Caffrey's Bar And Restaurant Of Batterstown Handicap Chase.