Hogan ticks off full set of Irish courses Hopeful Hero (11/2) created history for Tom Hogan when scooting clear in the Grimme Ireland Maiden Hurdle at Bellewstown. Alan O'Sullivan guided him to the front over the final flight, and the five-year-old gelding opened up by five lengths for the Cool Out Again Syndicate. Whats New came in second at 12/1 and was just over two lengths in front of 5/2 favourite Kasper Hauser. Hogan said: "He's a nice horse, but he's a bit tricky. It took a long time to get his mind right, and get him to settle and relax. "He's a fabulous jumper, he's a lovely horse. "Alan is a very good rider and knows him well, he rode him in bumpers. "Sligo was his first run since November. We would be careful how much we do with him at home, we try and keep him 'unbuzzed' and relaxed." On having trained a winner at every track in Ireland, he said: "I suppose it is (a good achievement). I had the old and new Dundalk, and Tralee as well."
