Archies Charm spring-heeled under Cooper

Archies Charm (7/1) carried topweight to victory in the Northern Ireland On Course Bookmakers Association.co.uk Handicap Chase.

Bryan Cooper ’s mount came through to lead three out and flew over the last two fences before going on to defeat Pat Coyne (7/2) by four and a quarter lengths. The 2/1 favourite Chesterville was a further three lengths away in third place.

Cooper had missed a couple of winners at Sligo after a fall there on Wednesday but was restored to full health here.

The victorious Shantou gelding won a maiden hurdle at Limerick last season and was making a winning handicap debut over fences.

He was a third Northern-trained winner on the card after So Near So Farhh and Willyouwalkwithme

Winning trainer Brian Hamilton: "We thought we were fairly handicapped. We thought the handicapper would have given him a little bit more and we wouldn't have got in to a 0-109.

"We had him entered in Sligo yesterday in a novice handicap and he gave him 109, so we said we would take a chance and run him in this instead of going all the way to Sligo. It worked out grand.

"We were a wee bit concerned about up and down the hills around here but he seemed to handle it the very best and he jumped lovely.

"Bryan (Cooper) said he jumped brilliantly and he has sharpened up. The run around Galway did him no harm in a decent novice and it woke him up a bit. He was sharper again today.

"Long-term he could be an Ulster National horse, that's what we will try and aim him for. I'd love to try and come back and win the Ulster National (won it before with the ill-fated Chief Oscar in 2010)."

Quotes from Michael Graham