Great start for Diamond King

Hero of the hour in the Coral Cup at the Cheltenham festival back in March, Diamond King (a drifter from 1/2 to 4/5 on track) took the transition to fences in style to land the Galwayraces.com Beginners Chase under Davy Russell.

In the five-runner event Diamond King took over at the last and from there home it was very easy for Gordon Elliott's charge as he strode clear to beat Lucky Pat by fourteen lengths.

"I thought he was very good and he jumped class. He will come on a lot for the run as he is not fit," stated Elliott.

"We were keen enough to get him out before Davy's suspension starts. I'd imagine he might have one more racecourse school before going straight for the Drinmore.

"I don't think he is real heavy ground horse so he might just miss that middle part of the season, and come back in the spring for the festivals. He is a real good moving horse and jumps really good."

Boylesports go 20/1 about the winner for the Arkle, and 12/1 for the JLT.

Meanwhile Paddy Power are 10s from 14s on Diamond King for the JLT Novices' Chase.

(DM & EM)