King continues to reign up north

Connor King’s recent dream run of form continued when partnering his eighth winner in the past 12 days as Strandfield Lady defied a 5lb penalty in the mile and a quarter fillies handicap at Down Royal.

The latest apprentice sensation, who successfully teamed up with the eight-year-old mare at Ballinrobe earlier this week, recorded his 20th victory of the campaign here.

The 16-year-old Cork rider, producing the top-weight to challenge front-runner Keeping inside the final furlong and she got on top in the closing stages to score by half a length. Lady Bennett was another length and a quarter back in third.

Winning trainer Harry Rogers was full of praise saying, “The young man on her back makes some difference. He gave her confidence, and is very intelligent. With a bit of luck he can go to the top, whether it is on the Flat or over jumps.

“She is in a mile handicap at Galway next Thursday and, if the ground is good, she might go there. She lost her form for a while but she seems to like it the more you run her.”