Carbon King enjoyed himself off the front in the Become A Member @ Limerick Handicap Hurdle.

The Malinas gelding jumped fluently and well throughout and had the field off the bridle entering the final half mile. Buddy One the 13/8 favourite, briefly looked a danger as he was driven to close on the leader in the straight. However, Declan Queally Jnr rode a confident race on the leader who merely ran away from that rival after two out. He popped the last and came in by a comprehensive 12 lengths at 15/8 from the favourite. West Of Carrig (16/1) was another 16 lengths adrift of the second.

Queally Jnr said: "The race at Fairyhouse was a very slowly run affair and he ran a bit keen. I hit traffic as well, so it wasn't ideal and it was muddling and looked like a flat race. He had missed the previous week with a stone bruise so I'd say he improved fitness-wise.

"He made up for it today and he stays well. His jumping was good, he is a grand horse and I enjoy riding him.

"He'll jump a fence in time and I won't rush him and will mind him."

Additional reporting by Tom Weekes