Prince Of All continues Deegan’s hot streak
Placed in a Curragh maiden in his only previous start, last October, the Jaber Abdullah-owned son of Iffraaj, strongly supported throughout the day but easy enough to back on-course in the face of hefty support from the subsequently withdrawn Keyboard Melody, tracked front-running Ivegotafeeling and challenged, travelling well from the two-furlong pole.
In front with more than a furlong to race, he stretched clear for Chris Hayes inside the final furlong and won, going away, by three and three-quarter lengths. A delighted Paul Deegan commented: “It was nice to get a run into him last year and we came here hoping he’d win before going for a Guineas trial. But Chris said he took a while to hit top gear so we might step him up in trip. We have lots of options, but the Ballysax (at Leopardstown on March 30) is a possible target. He stays well and looks an exciting colt.”
Michael Halford, in Dubai for his Super Saturday runners in Meydan today, was successful with odds-on favourite Rummaging in the opening, three-runner Your Local Value Centre race, which provided a tremendous battle with Conor Hoban’s mount prevailing by a neck from An Saighduir, with Master Speaker only a short-head away third.
Garrett Cotter, representing Halford, summed-up the 4/7 shot’s win. “He battles and stays at it well. I suppose race fitness was a big advantage tonight, but it was a good performance.”
Two weeks after announcing his retirement from race-riding, Johnny Murtagh saddled his first winner since October when Fix It captured the seven-furlong BWG Foods Handicap under Niall McCullagh, holding the late surge of favourite Political Policy by a half-length. Murtagh commented: “He’s coming along nicely. Seven furlongs is probably this colt’s trip, but Niall says he’s worth trying over a mile.”
