King likes his Royal Blue Star

Royal Blue Star (9/2) swamped her rivals down the outside in the last 100 yards and stretched away under Connor King to win by two lengths in Killarney.

The 4/5 favourite Rain God on the rail and Billyford were busy scrapping it out at the front, but deep inside the final furlong it was Royal Blue Star and Hot Bed (5/1) who finished best for the one-two.

“I wanted to claim off her as she’s small. Unfortunately my apprentice Charlie Elliott was suspended today. Connor gave her a super ride. He had never ridden for me before. The plan was to jump out and make it. When it didn’t happen he used his head,” handler Jessica Harrington said.

“She’s in foal to Dream Ahead. It was tricky enough to get her in foal and she has a bit more time [to race] so she’ll go to Galway. We’ll find something for her there.”

In-form seven-pound claimer Connor King added: “My agent Rory Tierney is doing a great job. I missed the kick a bit, but once I pulled her out she quickened well.”

This was King’s sixth winner in the last two weeks.

Rain God, who was going for a third victory in 12 days, faded in the final furlong of this extended mile race to come in fifth of the six runners.

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Additional reporting by Alan Magee