The Garvan Donnelly trained Lilly’s Prince is no new kid on the block; this stable stalwart has been-there-done-that, with ninety-nine runs under his belt.
This nine-year-old is getting on the year’s (aren’t we all) but his eye-catching 3rd placed effort Dundalk Stadium recently, got my punting senses tingling for his next appearance which will be his milestone 100th run.
Lilly’s Prince caught my eye in the 5.45pm Apprentice race;on Friday evening past, over the distance of seven furlongs. He was anchored in the middle-of-the-pack, on the face of it not going anywhere fast, then the jockey on-board Oisin Orr gave him a few gentle nudges; he picked up for pressure implicitly on the near side, to almost get on terms with the chief protagonists entering the latter stages of the contest - (Click here to watch the replay).
This was a really reassuring run, as his most recent outings have all been below-par, even indicative of his well-being, or falling-out-of-love with game though this son of Strategic Prince’s really proved a point, his next run could see him back amidst the winners - for certain.
Once rated as high, as the 80’s; Lilly’s Prince wont scale to them heights again nevertheless he still has plenty to give at this winnable level, and his trainer Garvan Donnelly will be rubbing his hands with exhilaration at what the next few runs will throw up for his ‘old hand’.
I’d be shocked if this Martin Sheridan owned gelding doesn’t win one, or two races at Dundalk stadium before the Christmas period, I’m certain he appears to be a winner-in-waiting.
