Viking Hoard and Kevin Brouder pictured on their way to victory© Photo Healy Racing
After being placed on his last two starts, Viking Hoard got a deserved win to his name in the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle.
A dual winner in the UK for Harry Dunlop, the son of Vale Of York was bought by Charles Byrnes for 22,000 guineas at Tattersalls last October.
Second at Down Royal last month, the four-year-old victor was third to Wee Tiger at Limerick on Saturday, and was sent off the 3/1 second favourite this afternoon.
Settled behind the leaders, and fourth from halfway, the Kevin Brouder ridden gelding improved to lead from four out.
He ran around a bit before the next, but went on approaching the second last, keeping on well from there to score easily by fifteen lengths. Veneziano Springs (12/1) ran on to take second under Donal McInerney for Terence O'Brien, while the 11/8 favourite Epsilon Indi could only manage a disappointing third, another half a length back under Conor McNamara.
Byrnes said afterwards: "He rode him closer to the pace today and he stays, and for a four-year-old it is unreal the way he stays.
"He'll keep going and might go for a hurdle race at Galway. He's a very slow horse to work and I don't think he's fast enough to win on the flat as all he does is stay and he loves top of the ground.
"I bought him at Newmarket last year and couldn't get a buyer for him and he's for sale again now."
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
