Ebony King
Of course, we don’t know how the opening listed hurdle at Gowran Park on Saturday would have panned out had Ebony King not come down at the final flight, and El Cairos hadn't been asked for everything yet by Jack Kennedy, but Ebony King did lots right through the race, and he was unlucky to fall. Settled back in the field through the early stages of the race, he was fifth of the five runners until they left the back straight final time. Moved up on the outside by Cian Quirke as they rounded the home turn, he made nice ground on the near side early in the home straight. He moved up on the outside of Gaucher and El Cairos on the run between the final two flights, and he actually picked up just in front at the final flight, but he landed awkwardly and came down.
The race wasn't run at a strong pace, and Andy Slattery's horse did well to make his ground into a quickening pace in order to challenge at the last. He made his ground nicely, he was fastest of all through the penultimate furlong. He is only five and, left in second place behind Koktail Brut when Blake fell at the final flight in the Grade 2 novices' hurdle at Fairyhouse last Easter, he was impressive in winning a qualified riders' race on the flat at the Listowel Festival at the end of September. Rated 94 now on the flat, he has raced just four times over hurdles, and he has the potential to progress beyond his mark of 133 now over obstacles.
Gowran Park, 3rd October 2026
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