Another for King as Zafarqand obliges

After recording a fantastic four-timer at Cork yesterday evening, Connor King was again among the winners at Sligo, as he partnered Zafarqand to victory in the Martin Reilly Motors Mini Dealer Apprentice Maiden.

The five-year-old Oliver Brady trained gelding was 11/8 this morning with Paddy Power, opening on-course at 5/4 before being back into 9/10 clear favourite at the off.

Having being placed on his last two starts, the son of Halling made all this evening, kicking on entering the straight and keeping on well close home to score by a length and three parts. Back Off Mate (16/1) kept on well in the closing stages to take second under Sam James for Arthur Moore, while Courageous Cry ran a fine race to take third, a half a length back under Shane Kelly for Tim Doyle at 25/1.

Oliver Brady carried out his usual post race celebrations and the few things he said of any note were: "He will go hurdling and we will be aiming him at the Leopardstown Christmas Festival."

Additional reporting by Alan Magee