Little King Robin (left) and Arctic Fire jump the last© Photo Healy Racing
Little King Robin produced a magnificent battling performance to win the feature at Down Royal this afternoon, the Grade 2 WKD Hurdle.
The Colin Bowe trained six-year-old has improved no end over the last few months and she was recording her fourth win in-a-row this afternoon.
Her last three victories came in mares only races but in against the geldings today she was sent off at 9/2.
She set off in her customary front-running role and was clear for much of the race. Her advantage was reduced significantly from three out and she was joined after the next by the 2/1 favourite Arctic Fire
He hit the front on the run to the last but Little King Robin battled back gamely on the run-in, regaining the lead 150 yards out before going on to score by three lengths.
Arctic Fire had to settle for second under Ruby Walsh for Willie Mullins while Orgilgo Bay ran a fine race to finish third a further twelve lengths back under Davy Russell for John McConnell at 33/1.
Triumph Hurdle winner Tiger Roll (9/4) ran no sort of race and was pulled up before the third last while Guitar Pete and Wicklow Brave were also disappointing.
Colin Bowe said afterwards: "She has just kept improving so we couldn't let her off. She'll not run on Sunday, that entry was in case the ground went against her.
"It was a big decision to come here, but she had been winning her mares' races. We thought we would have a crack at it. She got passed and she battled back. She's tough.
"The long-term plan is the mares' hurdle. She'll probably have one more run before then and it could be at Christmas in Leopardstown for the mares' race.
"Her owner, Maria Kavanagh, is from Arklow and she turned down a right few quid for her and it has paid off."
Mark Walsh added: "That’s my seventh win on her this season. She has done nothing but improve from the start of the season and fair play to Colin and the lads for keeping her fresh. They have done a right job and she loves her racing.
"I was wanting to run her on Sunday at Naas, I thought it would be too much for her here. I thought the Naas race looked an easier option but the boys were brave to let her take her chance and thankfully they did.
"She is unreal for the size of her and she is so tough. Ruby came to me at the second last and headed me and all she wanted to do was get by him again.
"She winged the last and went on about her business then. Her main aim is the Mares Hurdle at Cheltenham in March and if she can pick up one or two mores races before that we would be happy enough."
Paddy Power go 7/1 about the winner, from 16’s, for the David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March.
STEWARDS REPORTS
The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Tiger Roll, trained by Gordon Elliott, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be lame behind post race.
B.J. Cooper, rider of Tiger Roll, trained by Gordon Elliott, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount pulled up lame behind.
A.E. Lynch, rider of King Of The Picts trained by John Patrick Shanahan, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his stirrup iron broke on the turn into the straight.
Additional reporting by Michael Graham
