Royal Thief gained a second course and distance win at Thurles today as Henry De Bromhead's gelding benefitted from input from winning owner Michael O'Leary as he landed the Jimmy Neville Memorial Rated Novice Hurdle under 7lbs claimer Hugh Morgan.

The son of Fame And Glory was a dour staying winner under Rachael Blackmore over 2m7f at the venue in November and having gained a similar staying success today, De Bromhead later reported “Michael (O'Leary, of Gigginstown House Stud) suggested claiming and Hugh got a good tune out of him.

"He is tough and stays really well and Hugh was really good on him.

“His jumping is a bit hit and miss but he can be lazy and you have to be on top of him all the time. He is funny; we dropped him in the last day and Rachael (Blackmore) said he is slow and to ride him handier so it worked and he toughed it out.”