Hollybank King gets his day in the sun

At the age of ten, 15/2 chance Hollybank King won his first race of any description when landing the two-mile handicap chase under Ryan Treacy.

Runner-up to the 3/1 favourite Brandy Harbour at Naas in December, he was 10lb better off with that rival today and, having tracked the leaders throughout, jumped past that rival at the final fence to get the better of him by a length. Nelly’s Money made good headway from well off the pace to finish half a length further back in third.

The winner had also finished second to subsequent winner School Lane at Down Royal over Christmas so wasn’t winning out of turn. It was a seventh winner of the campaign for Treacy.

Winning owner/trainer Stephen McConville, based in Portadown, Co. Armagh, said: "The type of track suited him better than at Down Royal (sixth there last time) and he previously had some trouble in-running at Clonmel.

"He couldn't ever just get over the line but that will get his confidence up now and hopefully he might win another one. He's probably better over two miles than 2m4f and it is hard to find races for this type of horse.

"My son Michael rides him sometimes and we have four in training. It took three and a half hours to drive down but it wasn't too bad and at least the sun was shining!"

Quotes from Thomas Weekes