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Punchestown 2024
Punchestown 2024
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- Review navan 18th Dec
Review navan 18th Dec
Gordon Elliott's excellent day at Navan started when Death Duty was impressive in retaining his unbeaten record with victory in the Navan Novice Hurdle.
The 6-4 chance tracked long-time leader Monalee and after taking over approaching the last, he strode on nicely under Bryan Cooper to score by three and three-quarter lengths, with favourite Invitation Only back in third.
Cooper and Elliott made it a double when Automated (8-1) landed the Tara Handicap Hurdle.< Scoir Mear seemed to be getting on top when clear at the last, but Cooper was unconcerned on the strong-travelling Automated, who came through late to score by a length and a quarter.
It soon became a treble for Elliott as Glenloe got the better of a thrilling battle with Call The Taxie in the John Lynch Carpets Maiden Hurdle.
Barry Geraghty had to be at his very strongest on the 6-4 favourite, who could not shrug off Ellmarie Holden's charge, eventually just prevailing by a neck.
The Elliott four-timer was completed when Jamie Codd drove Samcro (1-3) to victory in the Listed 'Future Champions' INH Flat Race, beating Good Thyne Tara by a diminishing half a length.
Elliott also struck with Shattered Love (5-2) in the feature at Thurles, the Horse And Jockey Hotel EBF Boreen Belle Mares Novice Hurdle.
Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh got the ball rolling when Cilaos Emery landed the opening Irish Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle.
Always near the head of affairs, the 5-4 chance still had Joey Sasa for company at the final flight but found plenty close home to score by six lengths.
Sandra Hughes had an impressive winner at Thurles and added to her tally for the day when Total Recall (9-2) kept on dourly to land the Prancer And Dancer Rated Novice Chase under Roger Loughran.< Effernock Lad and Flemenstorm were completely inseparable in the Round O Pub And Restaurant Handicap Chase.
Ger Keane's Effernock Lad (11-2) was brave from the front under Mark Flanagan, but Sean Flanagan joined them aboard Edward Cawley's Flemenstorm (12-1) and the pair dead-heated for victory.