John Larkin’s Bay Of Kotor made it a hat-trick of wins when comprehensively beating his rivals in Down Royals’s two mile handicap hurdle under Andrew Thornton.

The Dunleer-based handler was in attendance and saw his improver win by nine lengths, defying a six-pound penalty in the process and land the even money favouritism.

He was following up on victories at Fairyhouse and Navan. John Larkin mentioned a couple of options for his in-form gelding. He said: “He could go for the Pierce Hurdle. There’s also a two mile hurdle race at Naas in the next two to three weeks. He loves the mud.”

Owner Breen White had traded Dundalk for a holiday in Lanzarote but his two sisters and father Bernard were on hand to cheer the winner back into the parade ring.

There was a gamble on Takestan (9/2 to 100/30) but he could only manage fourth. Storm Breaker and Gentle Paddy took the minor placings ahead of him.

Michael Graham