Heather blooms as action returns

Mountain Heather has thrived at courses with uphill finishes to date (has a win at Tramore and two in Downpatrick) but Mallow's flat track proved no problem to the daughter of Luso as she landed the opening Newmarket Novice Handicap Hurdle under Paddy Kennedy.

After sixteen days without jumps action in Ireland, the cold weather was still very much in evidence but the successful joint top-weight was left in front by the fall of Newcastle Blaze four out and she was clear up the straight on the way to beating Burnfort Girl by eight lengths.

Winning trainer Michael Hogan said: "She'd have won further with a hill finish! She'll run again at Christmas, possibly back over fences then. We'll see what the handicapper does with her over hurdles now, if he's not too hard on her she could stay over them at Limerick at Christmas."