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Punchestown 2024
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Michael Graham
Inishmot Prince upholds form with Collective Power
Inishmot Prince, orange cap, in front in the closing stages
© Photo Healy Racing
In-form Inishmot Prince came home well to double his Dundalk tally in the opening five-furlong handicap on the card.
The 7/2 joint favourite was fully 11th approaching the straight but responded to James Ryan's urgings in the final quarter of a mile.
They progressed on the inner and made sustained headway to collar King's View inside the final 150 yards.
The four-year-old gelding kept on well to fend off a closing 7/2 joint favourite Collective Power by a neck. King's View was backed down to 6/1 and was a length and a quarter further back in third.
Inishmot Prince had beaten that rival by a length when they met over course and distance last month.
Trainer Tom McCourt said: “He just struggles a bit to go with them early on - it was the same the last day, but when he gets balanced and gets a bit of daylight he picks up well.
“It probably suits him over five when they go that quick as they are coming back to him in the straight. Six will probably be better for him but you'd never know when he gets the hang of it more.
“I didn't think we'd get into one of these again, I thought we might get a bit more than 4lb for the last day so it was great.
“I hadn't intended running him back so soon but when this opportunity came up we said we'd take it.
“We'll see how he is after it but he'll handle the grass as well and hopefully he'll keep on improving.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson