More Wexford joy for Nolan and Cooper

Paul Nolan and Bryan Cooper were the men to follow with trebles on Wexford’s May 5th card and they joined forces for another success at Bettyville today with Miss Sassie in the finale.

Carrying the Joncol colours of Mrs Kay Browne aboard Miss Sassie in the View Results BoyleSports App Handicap Chase, Cooper came there travelling well on the Yeats mare in the straight.

The victorious 6/1 shot stayed on well under hands and heels on the run-in to comfortably account for Hidden Charmer by two lengths.

"Compared to what we thought she might have been, she is a little bit inconsistent," said Nolan.

"I'd say she is thoroughly ground dependent, she likes it quick. Most of her family didn't.

"Bryan said that he never rode a mare that wanted it as quick, or handled it as quick.

"She seemed to handle that trip well, she jumped very well, and the small field suited her for her first run in a handicap.

"She didn't miss a fence and Bryan gave her a super ride.

"It would be great to stick to mares races but at the same time she was up against geldings there in a handicap.

"We will just look for something over two and a half miles coming up in the next few weeks.

"She seems to be far better over fences but I can't rule out going back over hurdles if there is nothing coming up for her.

"She is rated a good bit less over hurdles and if she got the ground some place she could win a little hurdle."

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Canny Tom trained by Gordon Elliott, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.

(DM & EM)