Friendless D'airy makes all under Cooper

Calino D'airy came out on top in the GalwayRaces.com Beginners Chase, despite proving friendless with punters.

Successful on debut for Donnchadh Doyle in a point-to-point at Broughshane in May of 2016, he was subsequently sold for 150,000 pounds.

He won on his second racecourse start at Down Royal on St Stephen's Day, failing to make an impact on his most recent efforts at Punchestown and Fairyhouse respectively.

As short as 7/2 in early shows, the Henry De Bromhead trained five-year-old opened on-course at 12s, before going off a 14/1 chance in the colours of Gigginstown House Stud (completing a quick double on the card).

Sent straight to the front by Bryan Cooper, the chestnut victor made all. He went a few lengths clear after the last, and kept up the gallop on the run-in, going on to score by three lengths. Close Shave (16/1) finished second under Barry Geraghty for Jessica Harrington, while the 6/4 favourite (from 2s) Midnight Escape was another two lengths back in third for Davy Russell and Gordon Elliott.

Cooper said afterwards: "He did it well and is a typical one of Henry's who has improved from hurdles to fences. I did a lot of schooling on him and from the first day I jumped a fence on him, he was very good.

"He's going the right way and it wasn't a bad race and he did it well. On that evidence he'll definitely make a better chaser to hurdler and enjoys it a bit better and did it well."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes