Hero Of The Hour (white & red) wins under Chris Hayes© Photo Healy Racing
Hero Of The Hour was another horse at Dundalk this evening to bag his third win of the year at the venue when bursting through to land the six-furlong handicap.
Chris Hayes held his mount up in the early stages and had to wait for a run in the straight before going for a gap at the furlong pole on the 3/1 favourite.
The George Kingston-trained gelding got on top inside the final furlong and was a cosy winner at the line as he recorded a length-and-a-half win over long-time leader Pulse Of Shanghai
Hero Of The Hour, a son of Lord Kanaloa, had won here in January and February before finishing fourth on his most recent visit a fortnight ago.
Kingston said: "That was lovely.
"The key to him was that they would fly in front and Chris has the bottle to ride him that way, what a rider. He suits him down to the ground because he lets it happen and when they go fast, he is hitting top gear basically. He gets the trip well.
"He's not a horse that will break or be free up front, he warms into it. He's not slow, but he seems to make up the ground and arrive up behind them easily enough.
"The last night I might have been too nice to him and they went too slow in front of him.
"It is job done and it is a great prize tonight.
"It is fantastic for local men - David Hoey is a good friend of mine a long time and it's the first time he's had a horse in his colours, the Louth colours. Louth are flying as well!
"I'll see what is on the Flat, I'll talk to the boys. Why wouldn't he run in a good handicap some day?
"I think I would stay away from good to firm, he did have issues before and it took us a while to get him right. We'll try and do what is right by him."
(Quotes by Michael Graham)
