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Donal Murphy

Donal Murphy

Quick double for Burke as Prince just prevails

Thu 16th Jul 2015, 17:13

Knockraha Prince (far side) leads Bottle Rattler and Old Castletown (nearest) over the lastKnockraha Prince (far side) leads Bottle Rattler and Old Castletown (nearest) over the last
© Photo Healy Racing

After winning the previous contest on Viconte Du Noyer Jonathan Burke quickly doubled-up as he partnered Knockraha Prince to victory in the Dawn Run Milk Handicap Chase.

The Pat O'Connor trained seven-year-old ran a fine race on his handicap debut at Wexford earlier this month, finishing second to Illtakeitfromhere.

The dual point-to-point winner was sent off a 6/1 chance today and he raced mainly in third.

He improved into second after four out and led from the next. He was pressed by Bottle Rattler before the last and just held him off to score by a head.

The runner-up was returned a 20/1 chance under Mark Walsh for Philip Rothwell while Old Castletown (4/1) was a further four and a half lengths back in third under Ruby Walsh for his father Ted. Royal Chief was sent off the 10/3 favourite and he was four and a quarter lengths back in fourth under Brian Cawley for Eoin Doyle.

Pat O'Connor, who trains in Co Waterford, said afterwards: "He was second at Wexford just 11 days ago and I was afraid it would come a bit too soon today.

"Things have gone very competitive at the moment and even though that was only a 0-102, it was still competitive.

"He's in at Tipperary on Sunday but a lot will depend on what the handicapper does - he only won by a head so hopefully won't go up too much.

"I'm delighted for his owner Michael O'Donoghue, an 85 year old publican from Knockraha, (Co Cork) who bred him and also had the (horse's) family back along."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes