Kings Halo (nearest) © Photo Healy Racing
Kings Halo fitted with a tongue-tie for the first time, was always prominent under Danny Mullins en route to winning the J.J. Kavanagh & Sons Handicap Hurdle.
The Fame And Glory gelding was better at the final two flights than the challenging Magic Conqueror and stayed on well for an all-out success by a neck. The 11/1 winner edged right after the last and made contact with the runner-up a couple of times but there was no alteration to the placings after an enquiry, albeit Mullins picked up a three-day suspension for careless riding.
Kings Halo, second over fences at Tramore on New Year's Day but pulled up over the larger obstacles at Down Royal later in January, was gaining a first victory.
Winning trainer James Dullea, for whom it was a first success since August 2021, said: "It is great to get the win and I thought he'd have done this a couple of months ago but did it today. He disappointed on his previous run at Down Royal when things didn't happen for him and putting a tongue-tie on him today was a help.
"Danny gave him a great ride, I'm delighted for the syndicate who have been very patient with him as he has had problems along the way. We'll go for something similar next."
Quotes from Tom Weekes
