Severus battles his way to K Club victory

Severus timed his challenge just right to get up in the shadow of the post and land the K Club Handicap for trainer Des Donovan.

The seven-year-old gelding raced in sixth under Pat Smullen before winding up his challenge in fourth a furlong and a half out.

He finished strongly in the final 100 yards, between Plough Boy and Turbine to win by half a length and justify 4/1 favouritism.

Course Specialist Have A Nice Day took second on the far side at 9/2 with Plough Boy a head adrift in third at 6/1.

Pat Smullen said: "Everything worked out perfect. Des wanted him to get a bit of cover and come with one run. I just felt he was feeling the ground a little bit quick. It just took him a bit of time to go on and put it to bed.

"He deserved that, he's a very consistent horse."

Des Donovan added: "He ran a bit lazy today and Pat said the ground was maybe just a bit on the fast side from him.

“He said he was battling away at the finish. I was getting worried in the last 200 yards and said to myself 'is he going to go or not' but he's got up there and Pat said he's a genuine old horse.

“He's been in great form. Young Nathan (Crosse) has been riding him and has done nothing wrong on him but we said we'd put someone strong on him as he's getting a bit lazy and he just needs a bit of riding in a finish now.

“Hopefully he'll go on again. We'll see if there is anything at Galway for him. He was second there last year but was only 73 then. I'll speak to the owner and if he wants to go we'll go.

“He was supposed to run at Ascot this evening but we changed our mind before declaration as I thought it might cut up a bit at the Curragh. We made the right decision for once.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson