Well-backed Brega gives de Bromhead double

The King Of Brega landed a touch and completed a double on the afternoon for trainer Henry de Bromhead in a dramatic renewal of the Robinson Services Handicap Chase at Down Royal.

The former Pat Downey-trained gelding was having his first run for the Waterford trainer but was very strong in the market (10/1 in the morning and further supported on track from 13/2 to 100/30 joint favourite).

A blunder when challenging at the second last appeared to put paid to his chance, while Kick On Boss and front-runner The Shepherd King both exited at this point. Churchfield Champ looked likely to take advantage but Andrew Lynch got a great response from The King Of Brega on the run-in to get back up close home by half a length.

The other joint favourite Pairofbrowneyes held every chance a further length and a half back in third.

The drama started before the race, which was delayed by ten minutes, as The Shepherd King ran loose.

De Bromhead said, "I'm delighted for the lads (BMW Partnership) who kindly sent him to us. I thought he was gone after the fourth last and then he suddenly appeared at the second last.

"I had taken my eye off him and was watching Kick On Boss. He's a lovely horse. We've had him six weeks. He jumped well more or less and it was a super ride from Andrew."

Lynch said, "I missed the second last badly but he's got a great heart. He went down and winged the last and put his head down and galloped. He's won over further over hurdles, and hopefully there might be more improvement in him."

(MG & AM)