Delighted connections of The Ring Is King© Photo Healy Racing
The Ring Is King recorded his fifth career success as he ran out a comfortable winner of the Sean Graham Bookmakers Handicap Hurdle, scoring under Kevin Sexton for Paul Flynn.
The five-year-old son of Jeremy had his last six runs on the level and he was reverting back to flights this afternoon for the first time since pulling up in the Lartigue Hurdle at Listowel last September.
Sent off an 11/2 chance he raced mainly in second as The Black Russian attempted to make all.
He was ridden to challenge as they turned for home and he hit the front before the last, going on to score by five lengths. Mojito Royale kept on to take second at 4/1 under Jonathan Burke for Eoin Doyle while Lost Book was a further length back in third under Robbie Colgan for Stephen Mahon at 12/1. Snoqualmie Chief was sent off the 7/2 favourite and he finished a very disappointing eighth under Paul Carberry for Gordon Elliott (see below).
Paul Flynn said afterwards: "He normally goes off like a headless chicken when he's in front and the pace today was crucial as he could settle him.
"He's had wind trouble so it's great that he stuck it out. There's no race on the Flat in Galway for him off his rating and that's why we came here.
"Everybody is keen to go to Galway and he'll probably go for a hurdle there now."
STEWARDS REPORTS
D.N. Russell, rider of Lough Roe Lady, trained by Philip M. Byrne, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount burst a blood vessel and was pulled up.
The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Snoqualmie Chief (GB), trained by Gordon Elliott, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be lame post race.
P. Carberry, rider of Snoqualmie Chief (GB), trained by Gordon Elliott, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount hit the third last hurdle and emptied quickly.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
