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- Prince springs a surprise under Whelan
Donal Murphy
Prince springs a surprise under Whelan
Forrest Prince (left) is ridden out by Ronan Whelan to see off Mack Attack and Colin Keane (yellow)
© Photo Healy Racing
Forrest Prince sprang a surprise in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Maiden, as he got the better of the odds-on favourite Mack Attack
Having finished down the field on his debut at the Curragh recently, the Patrick Prendergast trained Approve colt was sent off at 28/1 today (from 33's).
Sent straight to the front by Ronan Whelan, he was pushed along from the two furlong pole, and was soon ridden as Mack Attack, who was sent off the 4/7 market leader, came with his effort on the outer.
However, the successful Sean Greaney owned bay proved game in front, and he kept on well inside the final furlong, going on to score by three parts of a length.
Mack Attack had to settle for second under Colin Keane for Ger Lyons, while newcomer Cosimo Medici (33's from 40's) was another three and three parts of a length back in third under Gary Carroll for Joe Murphy.
Prendergast said afterwards: "He behaved badly at the Curragh. Chris (Hayes) thinks he got stage fright and he did everything wrong. He's a tough horse and Ronan said he still doesn't know what he's doing. Nothing else wanted to lead so he let him bowl along. It wasn't the plan.
"He'll go for the Sale before racing on Irish Champion Stakes day at Leopardstown."
Additional reporting by Alan Magee