Tom McCourt and James Ryan continued their run of recent good form when Hero Of The Hour easily landed the opening William Hill Committed To Top Prices Handicap at Dundalk.

A three-time winner over 6f at this track, the seven-year-old who had also won twice on turf, was registering a first Polytrack success at the minimum trip.

Despite being drawn out wide in 14, Ryan managed to get across into mid division in the first couple of furlongs as Speedwood set the pace.

As the latter gave way early in the straight, Realtin Fantasy led briefly over a furlong out. Hero Of The Hour tracked that move to go second, travelling ominously well.

Getting to the lead at the furlong pole, the well backed 11/4f kept on strongly to prevail by two-and-a-half lengths.

James Ryan said: "We did (fancy him to be bang there) and, in fairness, he got plenty of runs on the grass during the year and it sparked him up.

"His last run he just didn't handle Fairyhouse - we thought he would run well, but he just didn't handle the undulations.

"In fairness, Lisa in the yard was riding him out during the week and he was carting her around the place, so we thought he would run well.

"He likes the place."

Additional reporting by Michael Graham.