King Of Cong off the mark in good style© Photo Healy Racing
Terence O'Brien's King Of Cong was far from extended in bringing off a gamble in Limerick's Locke Burger Handicap Hurdle.
From as big as 16s in the morning, he opened at 9/2 and was punted down to 11/4 favourite. This was his handicap debut having finished unplaced in three maiden hurdles.
He tracked the leaders and came with challenge in the straight. He picked up the lead at the penultimate hurdle and increased the advantage by the last. From there, he coasted in by two and three-quarter lengths from market drifter Malinas Glory (18/1). Beeverstown Place (20/1) completed the placings in third.
Jockey Darragh Allen said: "He really handled the conditions, which you need to do today, and the extra three furlongs suited him as well.
"Terence's assistant Michael Browne said to jump him out in the first four and, if he was good enough, to take your chance. We didn't go too fast so it paid to be handy.
"He jumped a fraction left and I let him run down the last two just to make sure (of victory). Soft ground could be the key to him."
He added: "Terence (who was at Aintree) had said to me 'if it happens it happens' and I had also ridden him in his point-to-point. I left him with too much to do in his point-to-point, so was anxious not to leave that happen again."
Additional reporting by Tom Weekes
