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.