IT’S hard for four-year-olds to win in open company over hurdles but it’s especially hard to do it in early August. It’s even more difficult when carrying 11st 5lb in the most lucrative handicap hurdle Ireland and Britain.

Perugino Diamond was the last four-year-old to win the Guinness Galway Hurdle all the way back in 2000 but he carried 9st 8lb so those on hand at Ballybrit on Thursday saw a serious performance from Zarak The Brave (9/2), who somehow found the energy reserves to fend off the challenges of the perennially unlucky Jesse Evans, second and fourth in this race in the previous two renewals, and My Mate Mozzie in third.