Rhythm proves Curragh King under strong McMonagle drive

Rhythm King backed up his recent Galway win, in doing so giving jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle a double on the card, when landing the Curragh On Course Bookmakers Premier Handicap at the Curragh.

A drifter in the pre-race betting market from 8/1 out to 14/1, the Mark Fahey trained gelding made light of that weakness by running out a determined winner.

Prominent on the favoured stands side, the four-year-old led over a furlong out but faced a strong challenge from Gleneagle Bay inside the last.

While the pair went neck and neck, the eventual winner just found that bit extra close home to edge ahead for a hard earned half-length success.

Mark Fahey said: “He is very tough and genuine.

“I didn’t think today was going to be a day for him as he always wins going around a bend.

“He had a hard enough race in Galway but he’s tough and had a light weight on his back today. He’s not the biggest horse in the world and everything fell right for him.

“It’s great for Clare and Andrew (Lennon, owner/breeders) to win a Premier Handicap here and he’s one to look forward to for next year.”

Additional reporting by Alan Magee.