King Of Answers (IRE)

Overview

King Of Answers is a six-year-old gelding by the in-form sire Malinas, a National Hunt stallion renowned for producing high-class stayers such as Scottish Grand National winner Mighty Thunder. More recently, Malinas has sired top prospects like Touch Me Not (151 OR), a Grade 1 Irish Arkle runner-up for Gordon Elliott, and Broadway Boy (150 OR), a top-class novice chaser for Nigel Twiston-Davies.

King Of Answers looks an exciting prospect with a big future. His Irish point-to-point form stands out. He finished 2nd at Taylorstown 1¼L behind Wendigo, who went on to finish 2nd in the Grade 1 Challow Hurdle (4¾L behind The New Lion) before winning on his next start by 7½ lengths. Another strong form boost came from Magical Hill, who finished 5½L behind King Of Answers in his 2nd point-to-point and has won on both starts in novice hurdles – by 2¼ lengths at Huntingdon and 6 lengths at Kelso – earning a current rating of 116 OR.

King Of Answers backed up that promise with a dominant hurdles win at Newcastle, storming home by 11 lengths, marking himself as an exciting long-term chaser in the making. With a strong pedigree, and serious potential, he’s a horse to follow with exciting plans ahead.

Form

Latest Race (Newcastle, 13th February 2025) – 1st by 11L
King Of Answers put in a dominant performance in the 2m4½f maiden hurdle, winning by 11 lengths from the well-fancied Carrig Kate. He traveled strongly throughout, jumped fluently, and powered clear after the last. The horse that finished 3rd, Grangeclare Diego, was 25 lengths back, while the 4th-placed Jo Coko (rated 114) finished a further 9 lengths behind (34 lengths behind King Of Answers) – a strong indicator of the level of performance.

• Carrig Kate - Arrived at Newcastle following two 2nd-place finishes over hurdles, most recently beaten a neck but finishing 8½ lengths ahead of Latenightrumble, who has since won first time out over fences at Wetherby before finishing 2nd and 2nd in handicap chases.

• Jo Coko – Brought in hurdle form of 2nd and 3rd, rated 114 OR. Finished 1¼ lengths behind Ski Lodge, a horse who had previously finished 2nd then 1st in two bumpers.

• St Olan’s Well – Finished 3rd on debut under rules, 5 lengths behind Jeune Prince, who went on to win next time out by 6½ lengths.

This victory followed a 3rd-place finish in a Bangor bumper, where he finished behind Cannock Park, a horse that later won at Cheltenham and finished 3rd in a Grade 1 novice hurdle, franking the form significantly.

Key Quotes:

Racing Post Review: "King Of Answers was clearly sharper for last month's return from a 470-day absence and made the 113-rated runner-up looked decidedly pedestrian once sent about his work. He'd given subsequent Grade 1 Challow Hurdle runner-up, Wendigo, a fright in an Irish point in May 2023, so there's reason to believe he can continue to progress."

Winning Jockey Jack Power: "He would have come on from the run the last day, he still ran a bit green but he jumped really well, he was very clever and quick, and when you wanted him he was there. I couldn’t be happier with his jumping and he should improve plenty next time out.”

Future Targets

King Of Answers looks a staying chaser in the making and looks set to thrive over 3 miles in time. His pedigree, style, and strong finishing ability suggest he is an exciting long-term prospect over fences.

Following his dominant Newcastle win, he is likely to return to Newcastle or head to Doncaster for a similar race. His performance there will determine his next steps, but the plan is to give him a couple of nice targets in April, with options at:

The Grand National Meeting (Aintree)

The Scottish Grand National Meeting (Ayr)

The April Meeting (Cheltenham)