Doonard Prince (green) is driven out by Pat Smullen to beat Bangalore Diamond© Photo Healy Racing
The bookies had a favourable result in the Follow Naas On Facebook Handicap, with the first three home coming in at 16/1.
The Liz Doyle trained Doonard Prince was the one who landed the spoils, the four-year-old son of Footstepsinthesand scoring by neck under Pat Smullen.
After chasing the leaders in the early stages, the bay gelding was ridden in a close seventh two furlongs out, he stayed on strongly to lead a furlong from home and he kept on well in the final furlong to record his first turf win (previous success came on the all-weather at Dundalk in January). Bangalore Diamond ran a fine race to finish second under Ben Curtis for Tom McCourt, while Cobblers Cove was a further two and a half lengths back in third under Declan McDonogh for Charles O’Brien. Blistering Dancer was sent off the 11/2 favourite for Pat Flynn and Danny Grant, and he got each-way money for his supporters as he finished a nose back in fourth.
Liz Doyle said afterwards: “Pat (Smullen) rode him the last day here over five, where he flew home at the finish. He told me to make sure and run him over six the next day.
"He is due to run again tomorrow in an apprentice handicap (in Cork) where Dylan Robinson will ride. If he pulls out of this ok, he will run."
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
