Patience pays off as Saxon Kingdom belatedly scores Having hinted at ability on more than one occasion of late, the Thomas Dowling trained Saxon Kingdom registered a first success when winning the Membership At Gowran Park Golf Club Handicap. A maiden in 23 starts prior to this evening, the four-year-old had finished runner-up on three occasions, including on his most recent start at Killarney. Despite being drawn wide here, jockey Gavin Ryan did well to get the gelding across to track the leaders early on. Sitting sixth after a couple of furlongs, the 7/1 chance made ground early in the home straight to go second over a furlong out. Pushed along to head long time leader Glencullen soon after, Ryan found he had a willing partner who kept on strongly to just hold Killarney conqueror Harry The Rogue by a neck. Gavin Ryan said: “He’s probably idled a touch and is a bit of a monkey. He’s a tricky one but when it falls right for him, he’s a grand little horse. “We were 9lb better off today (with the runner-up) which was a big help and the last day I had to sit a little bit long following him through and didn’t have the gears to get him back. “Today has worked out a little bit more in our favour.” Additional reporting by Alan Magee.
