Kingdom sees off Zafarqand in the last

The odds-on favourite Kingdom was given a real scare in the last, the Fairyhouse Sunday Market Handicap, but he pull out more close home to prevail, providing Aidan & Joseph O’Brien with a double on the card.

Sent off 9/10 ‘jolly’, the son of Montjeu made all but the Oliver Brady trained Zafarqand threw down a big challenge in the closing stages, with the winner digging deep to see him off by half a length.

The runner-up was returned at 13/2 (opened at 8/1 on-course) under Connor King while Bensoon was a length and three parts back in third.

Fitted with blinkers for the first time, the successful bay was recording his second success today, following on from his maiden win at the Curragh last October.

He finished second on his first two attempts in handicap company at Leopardstown and Tipperary respectively.

Joseph O’Brien said afterwards: “I wouldn’t say it was comfortable, he is tough more than anything and that’s the way he races, from the front.”

Additional reporting by Michael Graham