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Donal Murphy

Donal Murphy

Doonard does it again at Naas for Doyle

Mon 28th Apr 2014, 17:48

Doonard Prince and Ross Coakley on their way to victoryDoonard Prince and Ross Coakley on their way to victory
© Photo Healy Racing

Doonard Prince gave the Liz Doyle yard a nice boost before Punchestown, as he took the English Comprehension Testing Apprentice Handicap under Ross Coakley.

The five-year-old son of Footstepsinthesand won over the course and distance just last August, and he wasn’t beaten far on his seasonal reappearance at Dundalk last month.

Sent off a 16/1 chance, the Glen Howitt owned gelding was drawn on the outside in stall eleven, and he raced prominently throughout.

He was pushed along to challenge over two furlongs out, and he stayed on best from the furlong pole, going on to score comfortably by a length and a half. Tsar Paul (14/1) ran on well to take second under Ana O’Brien for James Nash, while Pixie Spirit also for Nash, was a nose back in third under Gary Halpin at 8/1.

Peggy’s Leg, who got in as first reserve, was sent off the 4/1 favourite, but she could only manage a disappointing ninth under Charlie Elliott for Jessica Harrington.

Liz Doyle said afterwards: "He was very fat in Dundalk the last day, but was much fitter today. He had a beautiful draw for the horse he is, as he likes daylight.

"He loves it here, and is suited by a good stiff six, or else seven around a bend."

Additional reporting by Alan Magee

About Donal Murphy
Donal graduated from Maynooth University in 2010 with a BBS in Equine Business and since attained a diploma in Sports Journalism from Dublin Business School. He holds a variety of roles in the horse racing industry, reporting for the Press Association and p2p.ie, while also working for SIS and the Tote. From Wexford, he is a keen runner and has completed over 100 parkruns at various locations around the country.