Barney King made the most of getting in as third reserve when springing a 20/1 shock in the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Hurdle at Down Royal.

Brian O'Connell gained some compensation for the disappointment of Dunguib's defeat yesterday aboard the John Carr-trained gelding.

He produced his mount with a well-timed run to lead between the last two flights and go on for a two-length success over Ragtime Lucy

O'Connell was glad to be back in the winners' enclosure after attracting some criticism yesterday.

"When you ride in high profile races you have to expect criticism. As far as I'm concerned my tactics were right."

"It was his first run back and first run in a handicap," said Carr about the winner afterwards.

"He ran well first time behind Luska Lad at Galway and we thought he'd run well next time but he disappointed in two runs, when I might have run him too soon, and we decided to let him off.

"The good ground definitely helped him and we'll try and find something similar for him."