Andrea Cova recorded her third course win, having already scored twice in bumpers at Downpatrick, in the INH stallion owners EBF Maiden Hurdle to put Ruby Walsh on the 40 winner mark for the season.

Victor Bowen's well-related mare made most of the running, and drew clear before the penultimate flight to beat Del Franco by nine lengths. "She's as tough as nails" was the verdict of trainer, Shane Donohoe after Run Sparky finished with a flourish to take the hospitality association of Northern Ireland handicap hurdle.

The six-year-old gray mare made up at least six lengths on the uphill run to the line under Mick Murphy to deny recent Clonmel winner, Blackburn, by half a length. Donohoe was denied a double in the Down District Council future champions novice chase where his charge One-of-our-own and Mighty Marble jumped the last together. However, it was the Charlie Swan-trained mare who found more on the run-in to land the spoils.

There was also an exciting finish to the Colin McBratney Trainer Extended Handicap Chase with the Bunny Cox-trained Windover also arriving late to touch off The Third Man and Bracing Breeze by two necks.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club has authorised four of the world's top jockeys to ride in Hong Kong during the winter, it was announced yesterday.

Gary Stevens (December 1st to March 7th), Michael Kinane (December 5th to 19th), Olivier Peslier (December 9th to 13th) have all been licensed along with Gerald Mosse whose licence extends from January 1st to March 7th.

One overseas rider who has already enjoyed considerable success in Hong Kong is Brett Doyle, who guided Bumper Storm to a shock win in the Happy Valley Trophy.