King doubles up as General lands gamble

Rising star Connor King recorded a double at Naas this evening when General Bunching landed a nice touch after getting in as third reserve in the apprentice handicap.

The winner was available at 20/1 this morning but was backed before racing into 12/1 and the support continued on course from 11/1 into 6/1.

King held his mount up in rear of mid-division in the mile contest before taking closer order entering the straight.

Tom Cleary's charge was produced to challenge front-runner Great Ability two furlongs from home and wore down that rival inside the final furlong to forge ahead in the closing stages for a length success.

The winner was turning out quickly having been a well-beaten fourth of five in a conditions race at Ballinrobe on Monday night.

“I've three now to bring to Galway and they've all won last time out,” revealed Cleary.

“He ran in Ballinrobe the other day in a rated race and was probably a bit out of his class but the ground also turned against him. I was at the Curragh today schooling horses and got a call that he'd get in.

“I think he's a Galway horse unless it comes up soft and I'm sure the handicapper will make sure he gets in now.

“That's the second winner Connor has rode for me and you can always depend on him to do what he's told.”

(Additional reporting by Alan Magee)