Mr King, left, beats Picture Of A City by half a length© Photo Healy Racing
Mr King got upset in the stalls before the Dermot Hughes Car Sales Handicap at Roscommon, but was perfectly calm under pressure at the business end.
The grey son of Kingman was making his handicap debut and brought up a Roscommon double for Ger Lyons and Gary Carroll who also teamed up with Gypsy Woman in the fillies' maiden.
Carroll soon had him tracking Eastern Legend over this 10-furlong trip and the pair took over inside the two pole. Picture Of A City wound up his challenge approaching the final furlong and looked a big danger as he was almost on terms in the final 150 yards.
Mr King dug deep for Carroll, though, and had that rival beaten close home. The 9/2 shot held the 11/8 favourite by half a length.
Assistant trainer Shane Lyons said: “He's a lovely horse and it's a great family. He's just filling into himself and is a work in progress.
“We gelded him after his Gowran Park run and then ran him back quick. He's a horse that, mentally, has to mature - you could see him there in the stalls.
“That's the last time you'll see him over a mile-and-two. Gary said they just went too slow and he'll love a true-run race, which would suggest he'll like a better race, over a mile-and-a-half.
“We'll take baby steps with him, knowing the family next year is another year.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
