HEART Wood threw his hat into the ring as a possible King George contender with a workmanlike victory on seasonal debut in the Grade 3 BetVictor Chase, the highlight of a double on the afternoon for Henry de Bromhead and Darragh O’Keeffe.

The Robcour-owned gelding, runner-up in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham in March, challenged Monbeg Park early in the straight and the 4/9 favourite eventually got on top of that rival on the run-in of this two-mile, seven-furlong event to score by a length and three quarters.

“Monbeg Park went out and they made it a good gallop. Darragh said he’ll improve plenty and he really saw it out in the end. He’s entered at Down Royal (for the Grade 1 BetVictor Champion Chase) but I’d say unlikely. It’s lovely to get today,” said de Bromhead.

“It probably just looked like he wasn’t seeing out the three miles last year, but it’s tempting to try it again as he travels so well. He’s pacey as well and I was thinking about Kempton. Today was to get started and we know he’ll come on.”

Heart Wood was halved in price from 40/1 into 20/1 for the King George with Paddy Power.

Successful start

Gameball, impressive winner of a Ballinrobe bumper on debut for Andy Slattery in July, initiated the double when making a successful start over hurdles in the BetVictor Maiden Hurdle.

The 15/8 chance asserted approaching the final flight, where he was a bit deliberate, before keeping on well on the run-in to beat O’Reilly by six lengths.

“Basil (Holian, owner) spotted him in Ballinrobe and bought him. He’d been working nicely. He wouldn’t blow you away at home, but the Slattery’s said they really liked him and recommended him,” said the in-form Knockeen trainer.

“Darragh said he was fresh going to the start, so he decided to lock him up on the rail and get him a bit of cover. He was keen a lot of the way and jumped quick.”

Connections of fifth-placed Pavillion End were in hot water with the stewards following a running and riding enquiry, with rider Gavin Brouder suspended for 14 days, trainer Charles O’Brien fined €3,000 and the gelding suspended from running for 60 days.

King claims his crown

The other Grade 3 race on the card, the BetVictor Novice Chase, went the way of King Of Kingsfield who made it three wins from five starts over fences.

The Gigginstown-owned 5/4 favourite came under pressure after pecking on landing when challenging Birdie Or Bust at the penultimate fence but, after leading early on the run-in, kept on well in the closing stages to beat that rival by two and a half lengths.

“Jack (Kennedy) said he’s relaxing a lot more. He was very keen as a young horse,” said winning trainer Gordon Elliott. “I think it was a good enough performance, but as soon as the ground goes you won’t see him until the spring.”

A LAW Of Her Own recorded her fourth career win when defying top weight in the Callaghan Aluminium Supporting Meath Hunt Mares Handicap Hurdle.

Sam Ewing’s mount travelled well to lead up the inner at the home bend and soon took control to beat Spick And Span by seven lengths.

“Two miles suits her better than two and a half, but she wants better ground more than anything. She’ll go to the breeding stock sale at the end of the year. She’s a blacktype filly and hopefully they will get a few quid for her,” said Peter Fahey who trains the 15/2 winner for Willie Ward.

Michael Kenneally was given a five-day suspension for a breach of Rule 216(ii) after failing to pull his mount (Flidais) up quickly enough when injured.

Linden Arden (20/1) completed a good 24 hours for winning connections when taking the TRM Nutrition - No. 1 In Europe, Trusted Worldwide Handicap Hurdle.

The seven-year-old son of the Bowe’s great mare Solerina took a narrow advantage over Avalo after the last and was ridden out with hands and heels by Brian Hayes to score by three quarters of a length.

“I thought he might need a little bit more work but he runs well fresh, and we said we’d come here today rather than galloping him,” said trainer Harry Kelly.

“It’s worked out and he has a better mark over hurdles than fences. John (Bowe, owner) normally picks out something and he’s usually spot on.” This victory was following hot on the heels of Glen Kiln easily landing the odds here the previous afternoon.

AUREA Fortuna took advantage of what appeared a good mark over fences to justify evens-favouritism in the Premiere Weekend Ticket Just €25 For Limited Time Only (Q.R.) Handicap Chase.

Trained by Tony Martin for Debbie Breslin, the gelding was just shaken up by Derek O’Connor on the run-in to beat Smallcraftwarning by four lengths.

“He ran over fences last year as a five-year-old and was weak. He’s obviously improved a lot, but winter ground gets to him,” said Martin before adding, “He jumped great today and that man riding him is worth a stone to you going out.”

Famous Figure confirmed the good impression that he made here on debut at the Festival meeting, when getting off the mark at the third attempt in the BetVictor Flat Race.

The 7/1 shot quickened up well for Finny Maguire inside the final furlong to beat Hopeful Hero by two and a half lengths and Pat Fahy, who trains the gelding for his wife Natalie, said: “He ran a great race here on debut, but it was a disaster his last run where the ground went against him. He has buckets of gears and is going to be a good horse.”