Hearts Are Trumps appreciates drop in class Hearts Are Trumps showed his class, as he defied top-weight in the David Heneghan Memorial Handicap Hurdle. Successful in Grade A company and second in the Galway Hurdle of 2020, the Des McDonogh-trained ten-year-old reached a career high mark of 139. Without a win since April of 2021 and now rated 109, the Oscar gelding came in for plenty of market support, going off an 8/1 chance from early shows of 16/1. Taking closer order on the outer from the third last, the Aidan Kelly ridden bay improved to lead after the final flight and was ridden on the run-in, seeing off the late effort of Only One Plan (7/1) by half-a-length. Returned a 9/2 joint-favourite, Clear The Clouds was five lengths back in third, while Atlantic Wonder, who was the other joint-favourite, finished seventh. "The handicapper had given him a chance and had dropped him a good bit," McDonogh said of the JP McManus owned victor. "He was able to get into that grade but he was still top weight. He jumped great and Aidan gave him a lovely ride, he's a good rider and is in a good school. "He's an old horse now but he's still got the heart for it. "He might run in Galway on the Sunday." STEWARDS REPORTS * S.D. Torrens, rider of Gonetomillgrove, trained by P.J. Rothwell, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount burst a blood vessel and pulled up. * The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer reported to the Raceday Stewards that Gonetomillgrove trained by P.J. Rothwell had blood at both nostrils post race. * At the request of the Raceday Stewards, A.P. Heskin, rider of Atlantic Wonder, trained by A.J.Martin, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount overjumped the last hurdle and landed on the heels of the horse in front of him causing him to check his mount. * The Raceday Stewards interviewed J.P. O'Sullivan, rider of Only One Plan, concerning his use of the whip in the closing stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned who stated that his whip had got tangled with another riders whip close to the finish which made it appear that he had struck his mount one more than is permitted but that this was not the case. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards were satisfied that J.P. O'Sullivan was not in breach of any part of Regulation 10 and took no further action. * Terence O'Brien, trainer of Yewood, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his charge scoped poorly post race. Additional reporting by Mark Nunan
