Hearts Are Trumps clears the last under Mark Walsh© Photo Healy Racing
The consistent Hearts Are Trumps made it three wins from his last six starts, as he took the Irish Daily Mirror Handicap Hurdle.
Successful at Clonmel in May, the Des McDonogh trained five-year-old then put in good efforts at Galway and Ballinrobe respectively.
He got back to winning ways at Ballybrit last month, and since finished second there to the smart Off You Go.
As short as 5/2 in early shows, the son of Oscar opened on-course at 3s, before going off a 4/1 chance in the colours of owner JP McManus (completing a quick double).
Having raced mainly in third under Mark Walsh, the white-faced victor came with his challenge approaching the last, and soon led.
A good jump there pretty much sealed the deal, as he kept on well under pressure on the run-in to score by two and a half lengths.
The front-running Makitorix had to settle for second under Ruby Walsh for Willie Mullins at 8/1, while Like An Open Book was another four lengths back in third at 6/1 (from 8s).
McDonogh said afterwards: "He's a lovely horse. He's had huge jumps (in the ratings) from the first day he won, and is improving all the time.
"I didn't think he was a real winter ground horse but Mark said it was a bit firmer where they went past the hurdles on the far side and he was grand after that. We'll go on a bit longer and hopefully there is another big handicap in him."
STEWARDS REPORTS
R. Walsh, rider of Makitorix (FR) trained by W.P. Mullins, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount finished lame.
Owing to the low lying elevation of the sun, the Stewards granted permission for hurdles 4 & 5 to be omitted from this race
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
