Cooper keeps rivals at arm's length on Nolan's mare

Socially Distant (13/2) was the recipient of a very good ride from Bryan Cooper in the Win A House With Kerry GAA Handicap Hurdle.

The Kerry native got an uncontested lead on the daughter of Mahler and got her into a good rhythm over her hurdles. She went on turning into the home straight with two to jump and, although needing the line on the run-in as the first reserve Hgranca De Thaix stayed on strongly, got home by half a length.

It was a second win over hurdles for the 6-year-old who had broken her maiden at her local track of Wexford in March.

Winning trainer Paul Nolan said: "The last day she was a bit free so we used different tactics and jumped her off but he actually had to shake her to get to the front. She is funny that way.

"She will jump a fence and is from a lovely family who we had ourselves. I'm hoping she will be better with a fence in front of her and we might go chasing sooner rather than later.

"Hopefully this makes up for Phil's mare (Byrne, owner of withdrawn coughing Jeremys Jewel) in the first race. He is trying to get into a nice band of broodmares and I wouldn't rule out looking for black-type with her in a handicap in the future."

He added "I'm a bit down in numbers on this time last year but there is a better quality. We've bought a few very nice horses for very good owners and hopefully to God they are lucky with some of them."

Quotes from Thomas Weekes