Manalaplan (right)© Photo Healy Racing
Trainer Patrick Prendergast completed a double at Down Royal today in the concluding three runner Her Majesty's Plate when his 4/5 favourite Manalaplan scored under Chris Hayes.
Manalaplan, who failed by just three parts of a length to hold the late challenge of subsequent Espom Derby winner Ruler Of The World on his debut in Arpil 2013, made all and maintained the gallop for a two and a half lengths win over Ruler Of The World stablemate El Salvador
Following the win Prendergast, earlier successful with Windward Passage stated “we might go to Turkey for a Group race in September over a mile and six or a mile and a half. He'll get fast ground there and tonight was a lovely opportunity for him."
Today's was the 329th running of Her Majesty's Plate, first run in 1685 and Willie Boyd, a director of Down Royal, was asked by her majesty the Queen of England to present the plate to Patrick Prendergast. The Queen still helps with the funding of the ancient race.
Quotes from Michael Graham
