Prickly leads Papa's Way and Winter Lion (outside) in the closing stages© Photo Healy Racing
Prickly and Winter Lion dead-heated in the last at Greenmount Park, the Limerick Racecourse Family Fun Day 3rd July Handicap.
Prickly, who was as big as 6/1 last night, was all the rage with punters, opening on-course at 9/4 before going off the clear 7/4 favourite with Killian Leonard in the saddle.
The Edward O'Grady trained gelding hit the front over two furlongs out, but he couldn't hold off the late surge of Winter Lion, who just got up to join him on the line.
Winter Lion was returned an 11/2 chance with Billy Lee in the saddle for Matthew Smith. Papa's Way (10/1) completed the placings half a length back in third under Chris Hayes for Paul Deegan.
Edward O'Grady said afterwards: "He'll continue to run over hurdles and on the flat."
While Matthew Smith commented: "He has plenty ability but was flat out early on and I didn't think we had won.
"He'll come on from the run and will run in a two mile handicap at the Curragh next weekend and then go to Galway."
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
