Prickly justifies favouritism in the bumper

Prickly recorded his second bumper success as he ran out a good winner of the concluding Dublin Gospel Choir Play Limerick Racecourse 6th June (Pro-Am) INH Flat Race.

The Edward O'Grady trained five-year-old won a bumper at Tramore on his debut last August before disappointing over hurdles at Naas in February.

He finished a good third back in a bumper over the course in March and he was sent off the 2/1 favourite today.

Having raced mainly in fourth he came with his challenge on the outer from a furlong out, soon hitting the front before going on to score by two and a quarter lengths under Kevin Power. Palm Sur (8/1), who hit the front over a furlong out, had to settle for second under Steven Clements for Shay Barry while newcomer Black Warrior (20/1) was a nose back in third under Johnny Barry for Charles Byrnes.

The winner is owned by Simon Davis and Edward O'Grady said afterwards: "He had his palate cauterized since his run the last day and I was hoping he'd be fit enough as there aren't any winners' bumpers for a while.

"He should make a very nice hurdler and will race during the summer. He seems to be improving and is getting 'toe' now."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes