IT was the Co Galway combination of handler Ian McCarthy and rider Eoin Mahon who held the aces at Tipperary Foxhounds rescheduled fixture at Lisronagh last Saturday, when Hearts And Spades (4/5 - 4/6 favourite) completed a double for the pair in the open.

In doing so, he recorded a sixth consecutive success since shedding his maiden tag in the autumn. Settled nicely in the early stages, the seven-year-old son of Maxios moved into contention from the penultimate obstacle, where he swept past runner-up Magic Sadler, before staying on strongly to the finish.