Hand Over Fist and Mikey O Connor left win the Adare Manor Handicap Hurdle © Photo Healy Racing
Hand Over Fist got off the mark at the seventh attempt when keeping on best under Mikey O'Connor to win the first division of the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle at Bellewstown.
The six-year-old had disappointed on his final run last season when down the field at Limerick in November but showed a lot more on his recent return when third at Tramore.
With his fitness assured after that recent run and stamina guaranteed, O'Connor was able to make more use of the gelding on this occasion, chasing the early pace set by Champagne Vacation
The latter looked to have stolen a march on his rivals when kicking on after two out but O'Connor delivered the eventual winner with a strong run to lead over the last and fend off the staying on Navigator Jack to prevail by half-a-length.
Stable representative Robbie Power said: "He has been consistent in his last few runs. He's at a mark now that he can be competitive.
"Mikey gave him a great ride and, to be fair to the horse, he was tough and battled all the way. He looked beaten between the last two, but one thing he has is stamina and probably stamina kicked into play when he met the rising ground.
"You wouldn't doubt his attitude because he was tough as boots. He got a great jump at the last and when he met the rising ground he really stayed on strongly.
"When a horse has that sort of attitude, whatever level of ability they have, they have a chance. He will progress and hopefully he will progress over fences as well."
Additional reporting by Michael Graham
