Eider glory for King

Youngster teaches older rivals lesson

Last updated: 25th February 2012   Subscribe to RSS Feed

denis o regan

Denis O'Regan: Won the Eider for Ireland with another inspired ride

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11-4 favourite Portrait King struck for Ireland in the Betfred Eider at Newcastle.

Denis O'Regan gave the winner a superb ride although looked in trouble when Posh Bird swept past him after the second last.

The eventual winner wasn't foot-perfect at the final obstacle either but picked up well for his rider's urgings and was well on top at the line, scoring by three lengths.

Captain Americo plugged on stoutly for third, another 11 lengths away.

At seven years old, Maurice Phelan's runner was the youngest horse in the field and Ireland's first winner of the Eider since 2002.

O'Regan said: "I got the ride as a spare late on Friday, and my agent was quick on the button. It's a fantastic race to win.

"He jumped so well and travelled so well. Once I got stuck into him, he rallied underneath me. If you luck's in, it's in."