Doonard strikes again at Navan

Doonard Prince wore down Nora Batt close home to land the spoils in the five furlong handicap at Navan.

Nora Batt has her rivals on the stretch as she kicked for home over a furlong out and took a few lengths out of the field.

Killian Leonard got a good tune from Doonard Prince in the closing stages, however, and he pegged back his rival in the dying strides for a nose victory. Pillar also finished well to get within a neck of the front pair.

The Ross O'Sullivan trained Doonard Prince was recording his eighth career success and second of the season at Navan.

“It’s very hard to find those type of horses. Navan, Naas and the Curragh all suit him,” said O'Sullivan.

“The five today was a bit short but the heavy ground made it enough of a test. He was beaten in this race last year when going for three in a row.

“He’s been a model of consistency. He got 4lb for finishing second the last day and was off 69 today which is about his peak.

“That’s his eighth race won. John (Bowden, owner) had three horses with me before him and couldn’t get one to finish any closer than mid-division. Then this fella came along and he’s been knocking great sport out of him for the last three or four years.

“He’s eight but age doesn’t seem to matter to those sprinters.”

(Quotes by Alan Magee)