Sir Jeremy regal on handicap debut

Sir Jeremy made a taking handicap debut in race five at Down Royal.

Ado McGuinness' Decorated Knight gelding had been unplaced in three maidens, but it was a different story today.

The 13/2 shot made headway to lead at the two pole and stormed clear inside the final furlong to win by five and a-half lengths. Zaraahmando (20/1) was best of the rest and was a length and three-parts ahead of third-placed front-running Runninsonofagun (2/1f).

Jockey Ronan Whelan said: "I rode him first day out and he was a little bit weak and raw. Adam (Caffrey) rode him the last couple of times and he has just improved no end.

"You see him here in the flesh - he is a tall, leggy horse and you'd imagine anything he does now is going to be a bonus.

"We probably weren't expecting him to do that, we thought he would run respectably. It wasn't the strongest race ever run. I think that bodes well for the future.

"I was probably travelling too well. He's quite a big, tall, leggy horse and I could feel a couple coming around me on the turn. I just wanted to make sure I got a nice bit of momentum on him, I would have liked something to take me there a bit longer.

"He's very uncomplicated and has a beautiful mind. I thought when I rode him first day out that he wants cut in it (ground). It is beautiful good ground there today and he is learning on the job. Sometimes when they tend to learn, they tend to use themselves a little bit better. On that evidence, he is probably ground versatile I'd say."