King Of Queens retains his ability

King Of Queens travelled like a good thing and won the two mile handicap hurdle at Cork comfortably with Ruby Walsh in the saddle.

He had a spin on the flat 41 days ago at Galway when 14th in a flat handicap, but his last appearance over hurdles was in January 2009.

He retains plenty of ability judging by the way he easily cruised to the head of affairs coming to the second last. Walsh didn’t need to get serious with him as he pushed him out to win by two and a quarter lengths at 8/1.

There had been market support for the seven-year-old this morning from 10/1 to 6/1.

King Of Queens had been Grade 1-placed in the Durkan New Homes Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown on St Stephen’s Day 2008.

The top weight is trained by Thomas Mullins who said: “He has been working well, but his flat run did put me off a bit. Maybe it was the hurdles that changed his mind, although maybe it was an ordinary race.

“We’ll see what the handicapper does, but more than likely he’ll go back on the flat before the end of the season.” Galianna tried to go with the winner, but made no impression and had to settle for second at 4/1. She was three and a half lengths ahead of Sox’s Girl (14/1). Beckwith Star for Henry de Bromhead and Paul Carberry was the 3/1 favourite from an opening show of 11/2 in the betting ring. He was never in contention in 10th.

(Additional reporting by Alan Magee)