Proleek Prince fends off Stormie Outlook© Photo Healy Racing
Dylan Browne McMonagle doubled up at Punchestown with an all-the-way success on Proleek Prince in the extended mile handicap on the card.
He was hard at work on the 8/1 chance over a quarter of a mile out, but his mount kept grinding away and went for his race with over a furlong to go.
Only Stormie Outlook (8/1) could put up resistance and she stayed on all the while in the final furlong, but was half a length in arrears at the line. Passionate (10/1) was another two and a-half lengths away in third.
Michael Rice said: “He was very positive on him, he's as tough as nails.
“I'm very happy with that. I knew he was going to run well, but you're always doubting it against the big guns.
“Onwards and upwards with him, he has a lot more to give.
“He wants further because he stays, he hasn't a great turn of foot. Dylan rode him perfectly and did exactly what he said he was going to do, drawn on the wide outside.
“He bided his time and got him in onto the rail before the turn on the back straight.
“That's only his seventh run, he's strong and he eats up well so we'll keep him on the go.
“He'll even go hurdling, but we'll see how far he goes on the Flat - we'll see what the handicapper does with him.
“I have him in at Dundalk on Friday and just put him in there because I thought the ground might be firm here.
“When I rang this morning they said it was yielding and Dylan told me before the race that it was riding dead.”
Browne McMonagle also partnered Amangani (10/3) to success in the opener.
Proleek Prince was the 300th winner of his career.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
