Valiant King is clear in the closing stages under Dylan Browne McMonagle© Photo Healy Racing
Valiant King made the breakthrough in style, as he justified odds-on favouritism in the concluding Book Your Summer BBQ On June 11th Maiden.
Having just failed at Leopardstown on his seasonal debut, the Joseph O'Brien-trained colt was expected to go a place better this afternoon and was sent off the clear market leader at 4/9 in the colours of Qatar Racing Limited.
Settled behind the leaders, the Roaring Lion bay got to the front with two-and-a-half furlongs left to race and he stretched clear from the furlong pole, coming home five-and-a-half lengths to the good.
The Denis Hogan-trained Cormac T (18/1) filled the runner-up spot under Joey Sheridan, while Squire Danagher (5/1 from 8s early) kept on nicely to take third, another three-parts-of-a-length away.
Assistant trainer Brendan Powell said in the aftermath: "He flew home the last time.
"Dylan said he was very professional today, he said he knew from a long way out he was going to win.
"He said he will stay an extra quarter of a mile anyway. He said he thinks there is a nice race in him."
On his eye-catching entries, he added: "I'll leave that to Joseph and Sheikh Fahad.
"You couldn't ask for any more than that now - it may not have been the greatest race, but just the ease with which he won it going away at the end.
"He loved the ground too, but I'd love to see him on better ground because he will cope with that because he is a beautiful mover.
"One for the future."
STEWARDS REPORT
The Raceday Stewards received a report from the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer, that she was unable to positively identify Wado Cherokee, trained by Luke Comer, from the markings contained in the passport presented for this horse. Evidence was heard from the I.H.R.B Veterinary Officer and from James T. Gorman, Authorised representative for Luke Comer. In his evidence, James Gorman accepted full responsibility for the error and admitted that the horse presented was not microchipped before leaving their yard. He advised the Raceday Stewards that the horse presented was Shall I Walk. This was confirmed by the I.H.R.B Veterinary Officer. Having considered the report and the evidence, the Raceday Stewards, pursuant to the provisions of Rule 90 (iv), ordered the withdrawal of Wado Cherokee and referred the matter to a Senior Racing Official for further investigation.
Additional reporting by Michael Graham
