Hogan satisfied as Hopeful Hero delivers in Clonmel

“He’s always been a nice horse but it took him a while to mature and even when he hit the front there, he lost his concentration a bit jumping, he can jump really well, but he fluffed the last two,” the winning trainer said.

HOGAN'S HEROES: Hopeful Hero and Donagh Meyler win the Clonmel Novice Handicap Hurdle for trainer Tom Hogan. Pic: HEALY RACING

Hopeful Hero ran out an impressive winner of the Clonmel Novice Handicap Hurdle at the Tipperary venue on Thursday.

There was little to separate the field of six approaching the second-last flight but Hopeful Hero was travelling ominously well in the hands of Donagh Meyler and, despite an untidy jump at the last, the 7-2 shot proved two and a half lengths two good for 9-4 favourite Kashchei.