Prince Of Verona and Joe Doyle beat Zola Sakura © Photo Healy Racing
Those who raced prominently fought out the finish of the Naas Racecourse Business Club Handicap, with Prince Of Verona (13/2) coming out on top by three quarters of length.
The Denis Hogan-trained winner chased leader Zola Sakura (9/2) throughout before heading that one inside the final furlong.
Joe Doyle ’s mount was inclined to lug in towards the rail in the closing stages and tightened up the runner-up close home, but there was no change to the result after a stewards’ enquiry.
The 3/1 favourite Easily raced in third for most of the race and that was her finishing position, a further three quarters of a length away.
Prince Of Verona, by American Pharaoh, was a very expensive yearling who had one run for Aidan O’Brien last year when finishing well behind today’s impressive Coral-Eclipse winner St Mark’s Basilica in a Curragh maiden.
He was getting off the mark on his eighth start after a fair fourth last time out at Gowran Park.
“We’ve liked this horse since we got him," said winning rider Doyle.
"He’s been a little bit slower to come to hand than we thought he initially would be but I think he’s getting the hang of it now. He should improve.
“A big thank you to the owner Michael O’Brien who is a fierce supporter of the yard and he deserved a winner.
“I think he won fair and square on the line but he’s just a big baby and ran around a bit.”
Quotes from Alan Magee
