Prime Chief (left)© Photo Healy Racing
Trainer Jarlath Fahey sent out well supported Prime Chief (11/1 — 8/1) to win on 234-days reappearance run today at Down Royal, landing the Mount Charles Handicap under jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle.
The son of Air Chief Marshall was last seen when unplaced at Dundalk in October and today was produced by Browne McMonagle to lead close home and score a three-parts of a length win over Right Turn
Fahey later revealed "we have a form-line on those races between Never Missed A Beat and Divine Celt (stablemates and recent winners) and he has been working fairly well at home, so we knew he had a shout.
"The ground came just nice for us, the rain the other day was no harm as he wants it no quicker than that.
"Dylan gave him a brilliant ride. He knew it was his first run back and the gap came at the right time. He did it nicely and he is a nice horse in that level.
"He'll go anywhere where he gets in and the ground is safe. He doesn't like Dundalk; he has been placed there but he doesn't like the surface. He'll have a busy summer as he won't be going there for the winter."
Quotes from Michael Graham