King Leon (left) is driven out by Robbie Power to see off Wandering Aengus © Photo Healy Racing
King Leon followed up on his maiden hurdle win at Ballinrobe last month as he took the T & V Novice Hurdle under Robbie Power for Aidan O’Brien.
The JP McManus owned five-year-old son of Mountain High failed to win a bumper in six attempts but he has taken to hurdling well and is now two from three over flights.
Having won his maiden over two and a half he was stepped up to three miles for the first time this evening and he was sent to post the 11/8 favourite.
Settled in mid-division he was niggled along in sixth before the three out, improving into third soon after that flight.
He was under strong pressure on the approach to the second last, improving into second after that obstacle.
He jumped the last alongside Wandering Aengus and he kept on best on the run-in to see off that rival by two and a half lengths.
Wandering Aengus was sent off a well-backed 7/2 chance (6/1 this morning and from 9/2 on-course) under Shane Shortall for Patrick Prendergast, while War Of The Pennys completed the placings a further fourteen lengths back in third under Eddie Keating for Michael Cullen at 7/1. Bless N'ject who was the even money favourite this morning, drifted out to 9/4 at the off and he finished a disappointing fifth under Patrick Mullins for his father Willie.
Frank Berry, racing manager for JP Manus, said afterwards: "It was workmanlike but he kept jumping and he kept going.
"He appreciated the trip and the ground was nice which was a big help. We will try and find another one like that for him somewhere.
"He might have one more run over hurdles and then he’ll probably go chasing."
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
