Majestic King can complete quickfire double

The Denis Hogan-trained five-year-old won at Gowan Park on Tuesday

Fri, 08 May, 2026 - 05:05

John Ryan

Majestic King should follow up Tuesday’s win in Gowran Park by taking Friday night’s McGrath Limestone Works Handicap when racing, belatedly, returns to Ballinrobe.

Trained by Denis Hogan, this five-year-old Kingman gelding stepped up on previous efforts when chasing home Kitty Bear in a seven-furlong handicap at Gowran Park, a solid and eye-catching handicap debut effort.

Back at the County Kilkenny track on Tuesday and gambled into 4-6 favouritism, Majestic King, bolted up in a one-mile 0-60 handicap, racing keenly before coming through to lead at the furlong-pole and easing clear under Joey Sheridan to beat Can I Kiss You by three and a half lengths.

The handicapper reacted to his win by giving him a 15lb hike so a mandatory 7lb penalty shouldn’t prevent him following up here as he steps up to an extended nine-furlongs.

Moody battles to Gowran victory with Cork return on horizon

Hogan and Sheridan also have prospects with Justenzia in the finale, the KOG Logistics.

This filly, a winner at Clonmel last September, made a satisfactory return, after a winter break, when chasing home the versatile Matt Connor in Gowran Park last month.

Although up 4lb for that run, to a career-high mark of 72, Justenzia should go close.

In the maiden action, Diligo, from the in-form yard of Joseph O’Brien, might step-up sufficiently on his debut fourth to Rebel Ascendant at Gowran Park to take the BoyleSports Home Of The Early Payout Maiden.

A son of Wootton Bassett, he was raw on debut and, armed with cheekpieces, should be in the mix in a field which includes Henry de Bromhead’s versatile veteran Ballyadam.

We also have jumps action in Downpatrick. And 125-rated Roc Dino might make Paul Townend’s trip north worthwhile by taking the opening Randox Maiden Hurdle.

Blown away by Mighty Park on his Irish debut at Fairyhouse, this fellow then bumped into subsequently disappointing El Cairos in Thurles and, last time, finished 10th behind Air Of Entitlement in the Martin Pipe at Cheltenham.

In these calmer waters, Roc Dino should prove a cut above his rivals, headed by Gordon Elliott’s pair Speculateur and Loch Cuan.

And Noel Kelly’s Justicialism, a close second to Bella Union in Down Royal on Monday, might go one better in the Road Stud Installations Handicap Hurdle.

BALLINROBE

John Ryan

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