King's Opera hits high note as Grassick continues winning sequence

MICHAEL GRASSICK, fresh from a double on the flat at Fairyhouse on Saturday and on the mark with Major Title at Leopardstown, continued his terrific run when King’s Opera won the featured Murphys’ Irish Stout Handicap Hurdle at Killarney yesterday.

Powerfully handled by Ruby Walsh, the mare got the best of a real set-to with Dantes Reef and Paul Carberry from the last.

King’s Opera edged after the penultimate obstacle, but it took all of Walsh’s considerable strength to keep her at the head of affairs, the final verdict a head. “I thought the ground had gone against her, Ruby said we just got away with it,” reported a delighted Grassick. “The Galway Hurdle is the plan.”