Hayes gets Koybig up on the line

Chris Hayes got Koybig up on the line in the Download The Ladbrokes App Handicap.

Successful three times at Dundalk last winter, the Pat Murphy trained six-year-old went down by just a nose on his most recent start at Bellewstown.

Sent off the 5/2 favourite this evening, he was settled in mid-division and was fifth entering the straight.

Ridden in second from two furlongs out, he gradually gained on the front-running Prosecution from the furlong pole, with just a short head separating them at the line.

The Johnny Murtagh trained runner-up was returned at 11/2 under Denis Linehan, while Hasselnott (6/1) kept on well to take third, another length back with Donagh O'Connor aboard for Johnny Levins.

Murphy, who trains in Co Kilkenny, said afterwards: "He deserved that the way he was running as he is running his heart out.

"Chris (Hayes) said to me the last day to try cheek-pieces to help him with him to carry him into the bridle a bit better. He is a hold up horse and is very consistent and we seem to have found to the key to him. We don't fuss him at home and we leave him to do his own thing.

"He is loving it and we're able to run him every few weeks and he might go to Galway now. It'd be nice to go to Galway with a horse for Derek (Leonard) as he is a good owner."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes