Smyth's investment pays off on Zagnzig

Zagnzig was a beaten favourite on his last trip to Down Royal but prevailed this evening at odds of 12/1.

The seven-year-old gelding burst blood vessels when trailing in eighth last time but made no mistake today.

Andrew Lynch held him up in this extended two mile three handicap hurdle before the pair began to make headway approaching the third last.

A slight mistake there didn't halt their progress as they challenged on the run-in and powered home by four and three quarter lengths. Oromo (7/1) led home the placed horses from 6/1 shot Hide The Biscuit and Ice Ice Baby (33/1).

Trainer Harry Smyth said: "He burst the last day but he had every chance today. I was confident providing he didn't burst. It's a problem with him but I bought a new plate at £9,500 for him to stand on and it seems to help.

"He wants good ground. He could win again in Downpatrick and we'll keep him going over the summer as he's a summer horse.

"There's more in him, he'll come on from that."