King doubles up with a Daredevil Day

Apprentice jockey Connor King brought up his double in Killarney on board Daredevil Day (11/4f) as he guided him through to win the extended mile handicap.

A wall of horses held chances with three furlongs to race, but it was Gone Viral who burst through and set sail for home over two furlongs out.

As everyone was hard at work on their horses, King still had plenty under him after switching Daredevil Day out with two furlongs to go and he was seen cajoling his charge to keep straight as he moved into contention. The pair made relentless headway on the outside to cut down Hannah’s Magic (13/2) and Gone Viral (8/1) and win by three quarters of a length and a length and three parts.

Trainer Joseph Murphy said: “I was surprised he won – the way he was cut off he had to come wide, but he’s got heart, courage and he’s very well-bred. He’ll stay the handicapping route and he’s a contender for Galway now.”

Daredevil Day was following up on a win in a handicap over a mile and a quarter in Sligo for which his mark was raised 13lbs. This was just over a 12/1 double for last season’s champion apprentice jockey. He came into this fixture with a record of 5-18 at Killarney, a win percentage of 28 per cent.

The Stewards enquired into an incident in the closing stages of this race involving Hannah's Magic ridden by S. Corby, placed second, and Gone Viral, ridden by R.P. Cleary, placed third where it appeared Hannah's Magic suffered interference. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned, in the presence of Mr. Ben Delmer, authorised representative of A.L.T. Moore, trainer of Hannah's Magic. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were of the opinion R.P. Cleary

was in breach of Rule 214 in that he had ridden carelessly and having taken his good record into account, they suspended him for 2 race days.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes