Cool Survivor negotiates the last© Photo Healy Racing
There may have been 20 runners in the extended two and a half mile maiden hurdle at Punchestown, but the market was all about Cool Survivor and it was spot on.
The even-money favourite made all for Jack Kennedy and began to increase the pressure on his rivals turning for home.
He was pushed along by Kennedy racing to the final quarter of a mile and kept finding with only Patricks Hill able to go in pursuit before the last obstacle.
Patricks Hill was unable to reel him in and could find no more on the run-in as Cool Survivor moved clear.
The 'jolly' took the first prize by three and three quarter lengths from 8/1 Patricks Hill. Arcland kept at it in third at 33/1.
“He gallops and Jack said he wants three miles. He'll probably come on for the run too,” said Gordon Elliott.
“We're having a bit of a run of seconds and a bit of bad luck today, but sure that's the way it goes.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
