The Michael Griffin – trained Shaka The King was only beaten three quarters of a length on his debut in a five-year-old geldings’ maiden at Dromahane. This imposing son of Yeats, was given a patient ride by Darragh Allan and caught the eye travelling notably well throughout. Still with much of the field ahead of him jumping three-out, the bay found plenty for pressure in the closing stages, staying on gamely to the line. Certainly doing his best work at the finish here, this well-bred sort looks open to plenty of improvement and could develop into a smart prospect under rules in the future.