Cooper & Lavery on the mark with George

The easy to back Jammy George sprang a 12/1 surprise in the last at Limerick, the Irish Field INH Flat Race.

Fourth of five on his debut at Naas last month, the Tom Cooper trained four-year-old was as short as 9/2 in early betting shows.

Towards the head of affairs throughout, the son of Multiplex held a definite advantage from five furlongs out.

He was ridden over a furlong out, and kept on well from there to hold off the challenge of Itsnotinit and Barry O'Neill by a length.

The Paul Nolan trained runner-up was returned an 8/1 chance (drifted from 9/2), while the well-backed 5/4 favourite (from 11/4) Robin The Hare could only manage a disappointing fourth.

Cooper said afterwards: "It was a tough performance, he loved the ground and he's a pure galloper.

"He's a half-brother to a very good horse called Lucky William who won the Ryanair (Novice Chase, Grade 1 at the Punchestown Festival in 2012) for me. If he's half as good as him he'll be alright.

"He's a proper three-mile chaser. I'm pre-training 25 horses for this man (owner Andrew Brooks) and only for him I'd be out of a job - it's as simple as that.

"He'll probably end up going to Venetia Williams but that's the way it is, and I'm glad to have them."

STEWARDS REPORTS

The Turf Club Veterinary Officer reported to the Stewards that Bonatini trained by Augustine Leahy was found to have lost a right fore shoe post race.

The Turf Club Veterinary Officer reported to the Stewards that Crezic (FR) trained by Gordon Elliott was found to have lost a right fore shoe post race.

John Joseph Hanlon, trainer of Robin The Hare, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his charge scoped abnormally post race

Additional reporting by Alan Magee