The King Of Brega landed a bit of a touch when running out an easy winner of the first division of the Leugh Handicap Hurdle at Thurles.

Pat Downey's charge was a 33/1 shot this morning and had attracted support into 12/1. He was sent off 10/1 on course.

Robbie Colgan tracked the leaders on the Court Cave gelding before hitting the front after the fourth last.

He kicked a few lengths clear turning for home and was soon in control.

Colgan was looking around for dangers before the last and could afford to ease him home on the run-in for a four-and-a-half length success over Spiker The Biker

The winner, returning from a 517-day absence had shown little in three maiden hurdles starts in April and May of last year.

“This horse has had so many problems and he's been big and backward but we've always loved him,” said Downey.

“I was very confident but Robbie came back in after his last ride and said the ground was dead, which frightened me a bit as he wants good ground.

“I've no idea where he'll go next but chasing is his game.”

Downey, who trains near Slane, added: “I have 16 in training at the moment and room for 17 more.”

(Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes)