True Or False a first for Harvey against the pros

Alex Harvey rode his second winner since turning conditional when partnering True Or False to win the second division of the FBD Handicap Hurdle at Ballinrobe.

Like a number of previous winners on the night, the mare was having her first run back after a break. Last seen when finishing down the field at Punchestown in December, the seven-year-old appeared to appreciate the better ground tonight.

Held up towards rear of mid division early on, Harvey moved closer after three out, taking up a prominent position in fourth after the penultimate flight.

Heading leader Land Jet on the run to the last, the Declan McNamara trained mare stayed on strongly up the straight to repel the late effort of Evans Secret

Alex Harvey said: "That's my second winner since turning conditional, my first against the pros.

"Fair play to Declan McNamara, he's really sweetened her up. She jumped away and travelled through the race and winged the second-last. I probably got there too soon but I'd plenty of horse under me and she's done it well.

"She ran in plenty of point-to-points and couldn't get the monkey off her back. She's been hit and miss over hurdles but Declan has done a great job with her and she was at the top of her game today.

"Turning professional had been on my mind for a while. I'm light enough to do so and John McConnell has plenty of horses there between myself and Ben (brother) and he backed my decision.

"I've Garry Cribbin as my agent and it's going well so far."

Additional reporting by Mark Nunan.