THE talented Black Tears took advantage of a marked drop in class and a straightforward opportunity to land the Grade 3 Quevega Mares Hurdle which looks set to pave the way for an assault at some higher-profile prizes this spring on a day when an embattled Gordon Elliott reeled off a 122/1 four-timer.

In a race hit by four non-runners, Black Tears had any amount to spare over her four rivals on official ratings and anything approaching her third to Concertista at Leopardstown at Christmas was going to suffice. Jack Kennedy produced the Caren Walsh and John Lightfoot-owned mare to lead on the run to the last flight and a good jump there put the seal on a five-length triumph over The Getaway Star. A runner-up in last season’s Coral Cup, the winner holds an entry in the Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham on Tuesday week.

“That was straightforward. She travelled and jumped well and picked off the leader easily in the straight and was only idling in front. She usually comes to herself at this time of year so hopefully there’s more to come from her later in the spring,” stated Jack Kennedy.

The four-timer was completed by a smart-looking type in Mighty Potter (15/8) who made a stylish winning debut in the four-year-old bumper. The Jamie Codd-ridden son of Martaline travelled through the race like a classy sort, eased to the front inside the last two furlongs and picked up nicely to win by five lengths.

“He’s the first of our stores to run from last year and he was bought by Joey Logan for Andrew and Gemma Brown. He cost plenty but he’s a gorgeous horse who had been working well at home. He’s a horse with a future,” stated the rider.

The trainer could have another useful type on his hands in Coach Carter (16/1) who made a winning start over hurdles in the second divide of the two-mile maiden hurdle. On his first outing since being placed in a Galway bumper on his debut in October, this son of Sholokhov was settled well off the pace and had a lot to do from three out. Kennedy’s mount, who is owned by Kevin Haughey, scythed through the pack impressively though to strike the front before the last and defeat James Clad by three and a half lengths.

“He quickened up very nicely and he could be a nice horse as he still has plenty to learn. He could be a decent type for the summer,” commented the winning rider.

The first divide of that maiden also went the way of Elliott and Kennedy as Papal Lodge (4/5), who chased home the subsequent Grade 2 scorer Echoes In Rain on his last start in mid-December, won the first division of the two-mile maiden hurdle. The Justanidea Syndicate-owned winner led before the last en route to a four-and-a-half-length defeat of Mahons Glory.

A TILT at the valuable Leinster National at Naas next Sunday is on the cards for Atlantic Shore (9/2) who bagged the third triumph of a highly industrious season in the Pertemps Network Group Handicap Hurdle.

This thorough stayer revelled in his first try over hurdles for a year and produced a gritty effort under Brian Hayes. He answered his rider’s call to move to the head of a well bunched leading quartet on the run in and kept on doggedly to score by a length and a half from Sassy Yet Classy.

“The Leinster National is the plan and hopefully we get a drop more rain between now and then. Maybe the Irish National could come into the reckoning for him but it would all depend on the weather,” stated Philip Fenton who trains the winner for Mark Neville. “Brian said he’s never travelled as well. He can be a bit moody so we’ll try to keep him in this frame of mind.”

Hilltop Supreme notched up his second win in three starts in the 80-95 rated handicap hurdle over two and a half miles. Kevin Brouder struck for home before the turn in on the David Fitzgerald inmate who defeated Chelseas Friend by seven and a half lengths. The 15/2 chance carries the colours of Belinda O’Brien.

THE day served up a couple of big-priced winners and none more so than the Brian Hamilton-owned and trained Stockdale who struck at 50/1 under Jonathan Moore in the mares’ maiden hurdle over an two and three-quarter miles.

The five-year-old had 19 lengths to make up on the odds-on Humble Glory from their meeting here last month but reversed that deficit spectacularly as she held off the late charge of Merry Doyenne by a neck, with Humble Glory only third.

Earlier, Martin Brassil’s newcomer Panda Boy sprang a 33/1 surprise in the I.N.H. Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle over two and a half miles. Ricky Doyle was on board this five-year-old son of Valirann who got the better of the 66/1 newcomer Chinx Of Light in the closing stages.

The winner carries the colours of the Old Pals Partnership of Enda Buckley and Pat McBennett who owned Andy Geraghty’s 1982 Mildmay Of Flete winner Doubleuagain.

“I’ve been waiting all winter for drier ground as he’s a big, leggy and weak horse who has only started to furnish in the last six weeks or so,” commented Brassil. “You don’t know the strength of these maidens and possibly we were lucky to end up in the race he did. He’s a chaser really but will run again over hurdles this season.”