O'Brien boots home brace on board King's Vow

Top-weight King's Vow ran away with the mile and a half handicap in Leopardstown and brought up Donnacha O'Brien's double on the day.

The Frankel colt shot clear of his rivals passing the furlong pole and galloped away to win by three and a quarter lengths from his 20 rivals.

He justified favouritism at 9/2. Laura Bullion (9/1) won the race for second from Kastasa (13/2) and 33/1 shot Pearl Warrior

Trainer Joseph O'Brien said: “He won well. The form of the race in Navan worked out well and that was a good race I'd say.

“It was an extremely messy race. Donnacha moved up halfway and it made plenty of sense, he could strike then whenever he wanted.”

When it was put to him that he stayed the trip well he added: “The only thing I'd say is that probably wasn't a real test, it was very messy, but I think he should stay that trip well.

“It'll be more of the same for him and we'll see what the handicapper does.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson