Prince can continue on upward curve
He is a son of Shamardal, making a big name for himself and the sire of Casamento, winner of Saturday’s Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster.
Dermot Weld has to harbour hopes that Dubai Prince, like Casamento also owned by Sheikh Mohammed, may in time develop into a Group 1 performer.
Certainly, his debut success at Gowran Park in September was most encouraging. Dubai Prince, the medium of some hefty market support, beat the Aidan O’Brien pair, Seville and Obligation, by a length and the same.
It was a further 14 lengths back to the third and the form appears especially strong. Seville and Obligation both went on to win next time and then the former chased home Casamanto at Doncaster two days ago.
Galway today houses a cracking card, producing a number of punting possibilities. Willie Mullins’ Apt Manor, beaten two and a half lengths by Far Away So Close at Tipperary, should be hard to beat in the Mocha Beans Mares Maiden Hurdle.
Noel Meade’s Donnas Palm is the one to be on in the www.swordsecurity.com Race. The last occasion he ran on the level was when second to subsequent Ascot Gold Cup winner, Rite Of Passage, in the Leopardstown November Handicap almost a year ago.
He’s been in good form over flights in the meantime, beating Aitmatov cosily at Tipperary on his reappearance earlier this month.
Ad Idem, Berties Dream and Jessies Dream all look capable of winning over fences sooner rather than later, but Venalmar has a fitness edge on them and gets the nod in the W.B. Gavin And Co EBF Beginners Chase. Mouse Morris’ charge has had his problems, but seemed in real good shape when third to Realt Dubh and Sweeps Hill at Navan 30 days ago.
