Search
Punchestown 2024
Punchestown 2024
- irishracing.com
- Punchestown
- News
- Review thurles 21st Dec
Review thurles 21st Dec
Kauto Grand Mogol was impressive under Brian O'Connell at Thurles
© Photo Healy Racing
< Kauto Grand Mogol looked a useful stayer in the making as he demolished the opposition in the Exit 6 To The Horse & Jockey Rated Novice Hurdle at Thurles.
Sent off the 9-10 favourite as he dropped down in class following a Navan Grade Two flop, the Liz Doyle-trained half-brother to the mighty Kauto Star was settled at the rear of the four-runner field by Brian O'Connell.
He was going seriously well turning into the straight and after leading two out, stormed clear to beat Bosman Rule by 32 lengths after nearest pursuer Draycott Place fell at the final flight when well beaten.< Lyrical Theatre brought a big reputation into the Gift Horse Gallery Horse & Jockey Hotel Mares Maiden Hurdle after three victories in bumpers for Willie Mullins, but she gave those who made her the 2-7 favourite a scare before getting the job done.
She was slow over some of her jumps and looked to have a task on her hands as Annagh Haven struck for home after the last, but she made remorseless ground under Patrick Mullins and eventually won going away by a length.
The jockey had a much easier time in the Curaheen INH Flat Race when the yard's point-to-point winner Pylonthepressure was sent off the 2-5 favourite and carried the Ricci silks to success by six and a half lengths without breaking sweat.
David Mullins rode his first winner as a professional when his father Tom's veteran Fosters Cross (14-1) took the Horse & Jockey Hotel Handicap Hurdle, hunting down Mrs Mac Veale heading to the last and forging three and three-quarter lengths clear.< Wrath Of Titans has bumped into stronger opposition recently than he encountered in the INH Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle and Sandra Hughes's evens favourite showed his appreciation by surging seven and a half lengths clear in the hands of Bryan Cooper.< Black Zero (7-4 favourite) took the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Chase, staying on well to score by four lengths under Johnny Burke, while Betterthanalright (12-1) led just about all the way in the hands of Kevin Sexton to take the