Still life in eleven-year-old King

The King Of Brega still has something to offer as an eleven-year-old as he showed when taking the McDonalds Kilkenny Handicap Hurdle at Gowran for Henry de Bromhead and Dylan Robinson.

De Bromhead and Robinson combined for a Graded success with Ornua at Roscommon on Monday and though the oldest in the line-up, The King Of Brega wasn't completely unfancied as an 11/1 shot for this two and a half miler.

One of the babies in the field, four-year-old Gold Seal went off the 5/1 joint favourite (eventually finished 3rd), but it was The King Of Brega's fellow veteran, Eight Till Late that gave him most to do.

It was only in the shadow of the post that the winner shaded it, a head being the verdict.

"Dylan gave him a brilliant ride and for an eleven-year-old he's still showing a lot of heart. He'd love that faster ground, and he always seems to win one if not two every year," said de Bromhead.

"He's a bit in and out but on his good days he's great. He could go back over fences and we'll see what the lads want to do."

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Racing Stripes trained by Peter Fahey, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be coughing post race.

(AM & EM)