Owner Willis' efforts nicely rewarded

Second earlier with even money favourite Boundless Ocean in the King George V Cup, Jim Bolger and Kevin Manning ended the evening on the right note at Leopardstown as I Have A Voice (8s into 4s) landed a punt in the finale.

This Bulmers Secret Orchard Live At Leopardstown Handicap saw favourite and top-weight Highland King drift from 11/10 out to 15/8 on track, and the early market-mover failed by three and a quarter lengths to deal with I Have A Voice.

Shedding his maiden tag at the sixth time of asking, the successful Vocalised gelding was always to the fore and he asserted inside the final furlong.

Kevin Manning stated afterwards: "He stayed going well. His last two runs have been good runs in competitive handicaps and he wasn't beaten far.

"Any day you are talking two or three lengths, it can often swing in your favour and that's exactly what happened this evening.

"He wasn't for passing, he was gutsy and he stayed going. I'm very pleased with that performance."

Owner Paul Willis flew in from America this morning to watch him win.

(Quotes by Michael Graham)