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Punchestown 2024
Punchestown 2024
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Review naas 21st Jul
< Bewitched added further lustre to her paddock value with a gutsy success in the ITBA & Gain Horse Feeds Support Local Racetracks EBF Sweet Mimosa Stakes at Naas.
The Charles O'Brien-trained filly had beaten subsequent Jersey Stakes heroine Rainfall at Haydock in May and was last seen when sixth in a Group Three at Fairyhouse.
Johnny Murtagh got a great tune out of the 6-1 chance and she got up close home to deny British raider Swiss Diva by three-quarters of a length, with Sir Mark Prescott's Prescription third as the 2-1 favourite.
O'Brien said: "We rode her a bit differently, she tanked a bit the last day at Fairyhouse so we missed the break on purpose with her today.
"We'll try and stick to fillies' races and we'll travel if we have to."
The Murtagh-ridden Fencing Master was a major disappointment in the Declan O'Brien Decompaction Company Supporting Naas Hurdling Club Race as Wade Giles made it two wins from as many starts.
Runner-up in the Dewhurst and seventh in the 2000 Guineas, Fencing Master - sporting cheekpieces - was sent off at 1-3 and soon at the head of affairs.
But the writing was on the wall a fair way out as Ger Lyons' 7-2 chance loomed up under Keagan Latham and went on for a cosy three-length success.
Lyons said: "He's a nice horse and it was a very important win for a new client of mine, Pearl Bloodstock.
"There's a Listed race in Cork - it may come too soon for him, but hopefully there's many more wins to come."
It was a second odds-on reverse in a row for Aidan O'Brien and Murtagh after Enchanted Forest was turned over at 1-4 in the mile maiden.< Ladie's Choice was a 50-1 shocker for punters in the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden.
Mattie Tynan's filly burst to the front two furlongs out under Ben Curtis and found plenty to hold Bad Romance by a length and a half.
Tyner's representative Richard Sheehan said: "Ben said she gave a big blow 100 yards from home but then got her second wind and stayed on, he said she'd plenty left.
"We'll give her six or seven weeks off now a