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Punchestown 2024
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Review navan 13th Feb
Colm Murphy was in great form at Navan as the County Wexford handler landed a big-race double courtesy of Voler La Vedette and Quito De La Roque
While the latter could well be Cheltenham-bound after his win in the Ten Up Novice Chase, Voler La Vedette is likely to wait for festivals nearer home at Fairyhouse and Punchestown.
Voler La Vedette gained an impressive victory in the Ladbrokes.com Boyne Hurdle after being given a confident ride by Andrew Lynch.
The 9-4 favourite challenged for the lead coming to the final flight and swept to the head of affairs with the minimum of fuss to beat Rigour Back Bob by two lengths.
Lynch said: "That's only my third ride for Colm and Voler La Vedette travelled really well over today's two-mile-five-furlong trip.
"Two miles is probably a bit too sharp for her and she was finding it easier to travel today. I was always confident she would pick up when I needed to ask her."
Murphy's father Pat Murphy added: "Voler La Vedette is not going to Cheltenham and we'll concentrate on Fairyhouse and Punchestown instead."
Davy Russell steered Quito De La Roque to an emphatic success for owners Gigginstown House Stud.
The even-money favourite slipped into a handy advantage before jumping the last and going on to score by four lengths from Royal De La Thinte
Murphy senior said: "Quito De La Roque enjoyed it out there and heavy going is what he loves. He is getting stronger and maybe we'll take on a bit of good ground at some stage with him.
"Hopefully he'll get his right conditions to win another big race or two before the season finishes though. I think he'll be going to Cheltenham for either the RSA Chase or the four-miler."
Russell was completing his own brace after he capitalised on a last-flight blunder by the evens favourite Dantes King to take the Irish Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle on Sweeney Tunes (14-1) for trainer Shane Donohoe.
Jessica Harrington's fantastic run of form continued as Saludos (5-2) bounced back to form with a gritty all-the-way win in the Flyingbo