Robin makes all in Down Royal opener

The Colin Bowe trained Little King Robin made all as she ran out a convincing winner of the opener at Down Royal, the www.thetote.com Mares Hurdle.

The six-year-old daughter of King’s Theatre bounced out in front under Mark Walsh and while she was pressed before the second last she pulled out more when ridden, stretching clear before the final flight, going on to score comfortably by four and a quarter lengths. Ningbo Express (2/1 to 5/2 on-course) finished second under Davy Condon for Gordon Elliott, while Emily Gray (5/2) was a further five and a half lengths back in third.

The successful bay was available at 2/1 in a place this morning, opening on-course at just 5/4, going off the clear favourite at that price.

Mark Walsh said afterwards: "She was the best horse in the race. She really enjoyed it in front, she winged the hurdles.

"She's a joy to ride and it makes the job easier. She'll probably keep going over the summer as she really hops off that ground."

Colin Bowe is at a wedding but his assistant Brendan Walsh added: "She'll probably go for the Grimes Hurdle as it suits as it is in three weeks then the Galway Hurdle as it is another three weeks away.

"She probably needs another five or six pounds to get into the Galway Hurdle, but she beat a 128-rated horse today so that might be enough.

"She's been a fair star for the yard and has been competing in the best of company."

The winner, who finished a respectable ninth behind Quevega in the Mares Hurdle at Cheltenham in March, was recording her third track success this afternoon, and her second of the season having won on her penultimate start at Killarney.

Additional reporting by Michael Graham