Easy win for Hearts in the opener

Bleeding Hearts justified odds-on favouritism as he ran out an easy winner of the opener at Bellewstown, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF 2yo Auction Maiden.

The Mick Halford trained son of Peintre Celebre was sent off at 8/11 (11/10 with Powers this morning) on his fourth career start, having finished fifth, fourth and third on his previous three efforts.

Owned by Gigginstown House Stud, the Shane Foley ridden chestnut was drawn widest of all in stall nine, but he was soon brought across to the rail.

He led and disputed from there, kicking for home in the straight, going clear a furlong out, before staying on well to score easily by five and a half lengths. Feeltherhythm put in a much improved performance from her debut, taking second at 25/1 under Niall McCullagh for Johnny Murtagh, while Myamo (25/1) ran a nice race on her first start, finishing a short head back in third under Shane Gray for John McConnell.

Mick Halford said afterwards: "We thought he’d win on previous form but that was quite impressive.

"We will see what the handicapper does now, he’ll probably go the Nursery route. There might be one for him in Gowran.

"I don’t know how strong of a race that was but he is a very straightforward horse and he has a good attitude.

"He wouldn’t mind a little ease in the ground. It is lovely ground out there and there is a great covering of grass."

The winner was purchased by Mick Halford for €26,000 at the Goffs Orby Yearling Sale in October of last year.

Additional reporting by Michael Graham