18+ | Commercial Content | T&Cs apply | Wagering and T&Cs apply | Play Responsibly | Advertising Disclosure

Higher Kingdom regains the winning habit at Dundalk

Higher Kingdom and Gary Carroll (yellow cap)Higher Kingdom and Gary Carroll (yellow cap)
© Photo Healy Racing

Higher Kingdom justified strong support to record a sixth career win, and a fourth at this venue, in division one of the William Hill Proper Betting Handicap at Dundalk.

The John McConnell-trained gelding, who had dropped considerably in the ratings since gaining his previous success off a mark of 81 over course and distance in March 2023, was always up with the pace.

Available at 4/1 overnight and backed into 7/4 favourite, the seven-year-old headed the front-running He Is King just over a furlong out.

Gary Carroll needed to keep the market leader up to his work as He Is King rallied again in the closing stages with half a length separating the pair at the line.

The front two really had the race between them throughout with Feature This keeping on a further two and a quarter lengths back in third.

McConnell said, “Gary's a good judge of pace and the horse has obviously come down a lot in the handicap.

"He's a funny old horse - he's by Kingman and he has his own thoughts on the game, but he owes us nothing. He has been a great servant for us.

"Delighted for Seamus (Devlin), big supporter of the yard and he has been very patient with him.

"He was running into a bit of form based on his last run and even his run before that in Navan was a pretty decent run. It would be nice if he could back it up, but today was the day."

Quotes by Michael Graham

1st
7/4Fav
Tote €2.90 €1.40
2nd
0.5L
40/1
€8.80
3rd
2.25L
20/1
€4.70
4th
hd
14/1
About Alan Magee
Alan has worked in the racing industry for well over 30 years including with the Sporting Life, Turform and Irish Racing Services. He took up his current role as Irish Racing Team Leader with the Press Association in 2013. He has a keen interest in most sports and plays golf.