King takes the feature for Doyle & Sexton

After finishing third of four here yesterday to Lord Ben, King High went two places better this afternoon as he took the feature Richard Power Private Clients Betting Handicap Hurdle for Eoin Doyle and Kevin Sexton.

Recording his ninth career success, the nine-year-old son of King’s Theatre was always close up, and led with a circuit to go.

He went clear before the second last, and he stayed on well from there to score easily by seven and a half lengths at the odds of 8/1 (opened at 10/1 on-course).

Doyle who won this contest last year with Raggletagglegypsy actually saddled a one, two this time around with Days Ahead finishing second at 9/1 under Michael Butler. Thegondolier (12/1) finished a length and three parts back under Barry O’Neill for Colm Bowe, while the 11/4 favourite, Invincible Don finished back in fourth under Paddy Mangan for John Morrison.

Eoin Doyle, who was recording his third win of the Festival, said afterwards: “He has always had ability. He just got away in front and he kept on well. The drying ground probably helped. I actually fancied the other one more (Days Ahead).”

Unfortunately Oliver Brady lost his great old servant Imperial Shabra when that one broke his shoulder on the down hill run after three out.