Doonard Prince and Ross Coakley on their way to victory© Photo Healy Racing
Doonard Prince gave the Liz Doyle yard a nice boost before Punchestown, as he took the English Comprehension Testing Apprentice Handicap under Ross Coakley.
The five-year-old son of Footstepsinthesand won over the course and distance just last August, and he wasn’t beaten far on his seasonal reappearance at Dundalk last month.
Sent off a 16/1 chance, the Glen Howitt owned gelding was drawn on the outside in stall eleven, and he raced prominently throughout.
He was pushed along to challenge over two furlongs out, and he stayed on best from the furlong pole, going on to score comfortably by a length and a half. Tsar Paul (14/1) ran on well to take second under Ana O’Brien for James Nash, while Pixie Spirit also for Nash, was a nose back in third under Gary Halpin at 8/1.
Peggy’s Leg, who got in as first reserve, was sent off the 4/1 favourite, but she could only manage a disappointing ninth under Charlie Elliott for Jessica Harrington.
Liz Doyle said afterwards: "He was very fat in Dundalk the last day, but was much fitter today. He had a beautiful draw for the horse he is, as he likes daylight.
"He loves it here, and is suited by a good stiff six, or else seven around a bend."
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
