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Punchestown 2024
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Review leopardstown 15th Apr
Jim Bolger completed a hat-trick of PW McGrath Memorial Ballysax Stakes victories at Leopardstown when Light Heavy followed up his seasonal debut success at the track at the end of last month.
The son of Teofilo, ridden by Kevin Manning, seemed to relish the step up to 10 furlongs as he swept past long-time leader Athens a furlong out and held the late challenge of Call To Battle by two and a half lengths.
Disappointment of the race was 7-4 favourite David Livingston winner of the Beresford Stakes last season, who was well placed to attack on the turn into the straight but could not get into the action.
Light Heavy's victim nearly three weeks ago was the Aidan O'Brien-trained Furner's Green who was sent off the 4-6 favourite for the 2000 Guineas Trial Stakes and won well.< Vault took them along until Akeed Wafi went on a furlong and a half out, but Joseph O'Brien had the move covered and Furner's Green collared him in the final half-furlong before scoring by two and three-quarter lengths.
The Ballydoyle yard also took the 1000 Guineas Trial Stakes when Homecoming Queen (8-1) led all the way in the hands of Colm O'Donoghue.< Fire Lily brought the best form into the race and she seemed poised to score when she joined the leader in the final furlong, but she could do no more and went down by a neck.
The result completed a treble for O'Brien after Forester 4-6 favourite for the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden after his promising Curragh debut, bounced out of the stalls and led all the way to score by an easy length and three-quarters.
Dermot Weld's prolific Famous Name (9-10 favourite) landed a 10th course victory in the Heritage Stakes under Pat Smullen, but he was a shade lucky as big rival Sharestan had a troubled passage and there was only a diminishing head in it at the line.
Weld and Smullen double up with Olfa (5-1) in the FM104's Strawberry Alarm Clock Handicap.