Could Be King lands valuable handicap

Bated Breath four-year-old Could Be King landed the €125,000 Sovereign Path Premier Handicap at Leopardstown on Saturday (12th September), despite carrying top weight.

Bred by Cecil and Miss Alison Wiggins and owned by Richard Barnes, it was Could Be King's - who is also Listed-placed - second win of the year. Trainer Ken Condon said: “It's a very important weekend, so it's good to get on the board.

“It was a good performance off 101. We got up to 104 after his first run for us in a Listed race, but that reads well now as Ancient Spirit won that. The last day Chris (Hayes) was adamant that the ground found us out in Naas. I had him down as myself as a horse that wanted soft ground, incorrectly as it turns out. Maybe it was a bit tacky in Naas.

“That was a very good performance and Billy gave him a good ride from a difficult draw. He angled him out in the straight, so he had a clear run of it. The horse got a bit of confidence and went to the line well.

“We think he can win a Listed or Group 3, but it'll be next year before we find that out. If things go his way he could be capable of mixing it in that kind of company next year.”