Fourth is top of the Class over hurdles

A return to hurdling proved a great decision by trainer Henry de Bromhead as Fourth Class made virtually all to take the Killinan Maiden Hurdle at Thurles.

The eight-year-old gelding, an 8/1 chance, and Stowree Bud (20/1) had the race between them in the straight as 8/11 favourite King Of The Refs could find no extra from the home turn.

Fourth Class was really gutsy on the run-in, and stayed on gamely for Andrew Lynch to score by a length and a half, with the “jolly” another nine and a half lengths away in third.

De Bromhead said, “Andrew gave him a great ride. We went handicap chasing with him but his jumping was disappointing. We were getting very frustrated with him, so we decided to go back hurdling.

“The plan coming here today was to go next for a two mile and a furlong novice handicap chase at Wexford but we may have to reconsider that now.”