Reinforce (inside) and Hero Of The Hour battle it out to the line© Photo Healy Racing
The David Hoey-owned Hero Of The Hour and Reinforce for the Orchard Garden Syndicate couldn't be separated in the Proparamedics Handicap.
The Katy Brown-trained latter was returned the 9/2 favourite and was following-up on a recent Navan success, while Hero Of The Hour was a 10/1 chance, on what was just his second start for Tom McCourt.
Third on debut for McCourt at Bellewstown earlier this month, James Ryan was aboard Hero Of The Hour who was recording his first turf success, while Ronan Whelan partnered the market leader.
Ridden to lead from the furlong pole, Hero Of The Hour was tackled by Reinforce inside the final 150 yards and after a ding-dong tussle in the closing stages, there was nothing between them at the line.
There was a further four-and-a-quarter lengths back to Theriverunsdeep (16/1) in third.
"His form seemed to be at six and seven (furlongs) and we said we would run him in Bellewstown and see how we got on (on stable debut over an extended five furlongs)," McCourt commented.
"I think he has to have a proper pace to go at.
"He definitely has ability and is a lovely horse. He won for George (Kingston) in Dundalk and had a good run of it there. He is a straightforward horse.
"He is back down to a nice mark again. He'll go back to Dundalk again."
STEWARDS REPORT
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Havana Notion (GB), trained by John James Feane, at the request of the Raceday Stewards and reported the animal to be lame on the right fore post race.
Additional reporting by Michael Graham
