Regal Power (cheek-pieces) scores under Declan McDonogh© Photo Healy Racing
Regal Power took eight outings before finally opening his account last October but the son of Royal Applause added to that tally on his first run since in the six-furlong TRM Excellence In Equine Nutrition Handicap.
Declan McDonogh produced the four-year-old gelding to challenge at the furlong pole, and the 10/1 chance kept on best in the closing stages to deny the effort of top-weight Tarrsille (7/1 co favourite) by three quarters of a length. Sword Of Light (16/1) was the same distance back in third, with Lake George (7/1co fav) completing the placings in fourth.
The performance of Sword Of Light was all the more meritorious as Fergal Lynch later reported that his saddle slipped soon after the start.
Winning trainer Eddie Lynam said, “I was a bit afraid of the ground with him. I thought it was firm but the jockeys say it rides well. He charged the gate and bumped his nose but it didn’t affect him too much.”
