Double for O'Connell as King springs surprise The Shepherd King sprang a 16/1 surprise as he took the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase, providing his jockey Eddie O’Connell with a double on the card (took the first on Gerdago). Trained by Tom Cooper, the nine-year-old son of Marignan won his maiden hurdle at Galway in October of 2010, but he had been without a win since. He wasn’t beaten far on his last three starts in handicaps, and reverting back to novice company today he was prominent throughout. He was second entering the straight, and he joined the front-running Some Tikket (Bryan Cooper for Dessie Hughes) at the third last. They remained together until the final fence, as Some Tikket, who was returned the 6/4 favourite, crashed out at there, leaving The Shepherd King to come home an easy six length winner. Hit The Headlines kept on to take second at 12/1 under Wilson Renwick for Gordon Elliott, while Minsk was a further seven lengths back in third under Danny Mullins for Dessie Hughes at 7/2 (opened the 15/8 joint-favourite with Paddy Power last night). Marlbrook was as short as 6/4 this morning with Paddy Power, but he was withdrawn earlier in the afternoon due to the going. Tom Cooper said afterwards: "He was a good horse once upon a time. I think the softer ground might have helped him. "It was a very good performance. He had them off the bridle a long way out. We will see what the handicapper does and we will have to go for a winners race now." Additional reporting by Michael Graham
