Flamingo's Court rewards owner's patience

Bryan Cooper made a welcome return to the Grade 1 winning ranks on Latest Exhibition at Leopardstown last Saturday and he was again on the mark aboard Flamingo’s Court in the Join Us Here Again February 20th Handicap Chase at Thurles.

The seven-year-old mare showed some promise at Cork last month (finished fourth before being disqualified after losing a lead cloth before the last) and was well-supported here on track from 10/1 into 6/1.

The Andrew McNamara-trained daughter of Court Cave jumped to the front three out and, after asserting between the final two fences, stayed on strongly after a slight mistake at the last.

She had five and a half lengths to spare over Grey Atlantic Way with 7/2 favourite Brog Ahaon a further two and three quarter lengths further back in third.

McNamara said, "We put the tack on right today and it stayed in one piece! I thought she'd get her head in front over fences before now as she is a good jumper.

"Bryan was good and positive on her and sent her at a few down the back and she jumped well.

"It's good for the Doctor (Andrew Heffernan) as she got a tendon injury last year and he had the patience to keep her. He had thought about selling her or going down the breeding route but luckily he put her back into training and she has stayed sound so far.

"The two mile division is generally weaker than the staying division at this level and if we stick to two she might win again.

"She is in at Naas on Saturday in a Listed race. She is unlikely to run but if there were only a couple being declared she might run to get black-type."

(TW & AM)