Prologue approaching the winning post in Leopardstown© Photo Healy Racing
Mick Halford’s Prologue broke well and made all under Shane Foley to take the seven furlong nursery in Leopardstown.
The 7/2 favourite was strongly pressed by Tagg’s Island and Intense Pride with three furlongs to race. However, Foley got into the drive position entering the straight and the son of Cape Cross found plenty at the two pole. He picked up really well and soon went clear a furlong and a half from home. Nasution (4/1) stayed on from over a furlong out into second and closed to within a length and a half at the finish, but the winner had flown. It was seven lengths back to Bunk Off Early in third at 16/1.
“We had three two-year-olds for Godolphin/ Sheikh Mohammed and all three have won now,” Mick Halford said.
“He's come up against some decent horses and his run in Galway was good. We took him to Cork for a nursery, but the ground had gone heavy so we waited for here.
“The drop back a furlong wasn't a worry here on that ground. He could be a nice horse over a mile-and-a-quarter next year. He's very straightforward and uncomplicated. I think he’ll improve lots. He has plenty of size and scope and a great attitude.
“All the two-year-olds stay with us (also Portage and Toscanini) so we'll have them for next year and we also have a nice bunch of yearlings.”
Shane Foley added: “He had some good runs behind some smart horses including John McConnell’s horse (Clonard Street) who was then second in the Beresford. He’s genuine. It’s hard work in front.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
