Prince back to his best

You don't expect winning distances of four lengths, a length and three parts, and six lengths in a sprint handicap, but that was the way it transpired as 16/1 chance Lily's Prince comprehensively carried off the Cork Racecourse Handicap under Sean Corby.

Back on what looks like his favoured sound surface, the victorious Strategic Prince gelding firmly left behind a tailed off last effort, in testing conditions, on seasonal return, at Leopardstown last month, to gain career win number five.

Lily's Prince has been a profitable horse to follow, his wins arriving at odds of today's 16s, to go with 10/1, 8/1, 9/1 and 14/1 successes.

"He had a hold up after his last run and I didn't think he was fully ready," said winning trainer Garvan Donnelly.

"My horses hadn't been running up to scratch but I knew they were well. I'm more delighted for his owner, Martin Sheridan (also the breeder, from Garristown), than anything else, as he's been a great supporter of mine.

"Unfortunately he (Lily's Prince) isn't entered-up in the coming week."

W.J. Lee, rider of Red All Star trained by Patrick Martin, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount hung badly in running and may have resented the application of a three ring bit.

The Stewards requested a report from Garvan Donnelly, trainer, as to the apparent improvement in form of Lily's Prince, placed first, as compared with its recent form.

Garvan Donnelly reported that this animal returned to racing at Leopardstown 15th April following a long winter break and disappointed on very soft ground for no apparent reason. He added that he was eased down when beaten.

Today the gelding was run in hope but raced over an ideal trip of 6 furlongs on better ground which may have contributed to the success. Having considered the evidence the Stewards noted the content of the report.

V.Clifford, trainer of Hurricane Twister reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his charge did not handle the good ground conditions and could not go the pace in this 6 furlong contest suggesting that he may need to run over a longer distance with an ease in the ground

(TW & EM)