The Aengus King trained Capture The Drama had a transformative year in 2016, including a shock 100/1 win, and today made a winning start to the new year, landing the Irish Grand National April 17th Handicap Chase at Fairyhouse today, under regular jockey Andrew Ring.

The son of Dushyantor caused his shock 100/1 win in a Gowran maiden hurdle last March which then moved his hurdles rating to 118. A subsequent switch back to chasing saw him win his initial handicap chase from a lowly rating of 69, at Tramore in June, before added further wins at Galway (rated 85) and Wexford (93). Today, rated 103, he rallied gamely to retake the lead from Garrai Phaidin at the last before scoring a four lengths win over that rival.

King, who runs a haulage company in Shannon, today stated ”I’m delighted with Andrew as he didn't force the issue and could have burned him out around three out. He stays on really well.

"A year ago I would have given him away but we are really enjoying him now. I only have two horses this season and the other one (Change The Rules) has won as well.

"There is a Qualified Riders race coming up at Punchestown (January 14) over 3m1f - Declan Queally has won a point-to-point on him before so I will try to get him to ride."

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Alan Magee