Phantom Prince and Robbie Power© Photo Healy Racing
Phantom Prince s only previous win in seventeen starts came at Fontwell in March of 2014, when under the tutelage of Brendan Powell, but he picked a good day to go in for a second time when triumphing in the valuable McHale Coranna Handicap Hurdle at Ballinrobe under Robbie Power.
Jessica Harrington 's Desert Prince certainly didn't go un-backed in this competitive heat, at 6/1, and in the end he stepped up on a Limerick second placing by getting the better of Marchese Marconi (11/2 into 9/2) and Argentino by a length and a head.
The well-supported market-leader, Frontline (4/1), finished a further eight lengths back in fourth.
"He made a big improvement on the better ground at Limerick and the cheek-pieces just sharpened him up today," reported Power.
"I just felt in Limerick I missed the cheek-pieces and they have done the trick today. He is definitely a better horse on better ground."
(DM & EM)