Hes A Hardy Bloke took a big step forward when he ran out quite a comfortable winner of the second division of the four-year-old maiden at Mainstown this month. Fifth on debut at Tralee behind French Dynamite, who made a winning debut for Mouse Morris and Robcour at Thurles late last month, the son of Aizavoski then went on to once again finish fifth behind Lifetime Ambition (subsequently sold for £120,000 at the Tattersalls Ireland Cheltenham November Sale) at Lisronagh on his seasonal re-appearance. Travelling strongly at Mainstown four weeks later, he showed a good turn of foot on the downhill run to the second-last to come on terms with the leaders, before quickening clear and putting the race to bet in quite swift fashion in between the final two fences. That points to a horse with plenty of speed, with his six-length victory coming over the recent Tinahely-third, Erne River, with a €62,000 Tattersalls Ireland Derby Sale purchase back in third.