Coole Avenue jumps the last under Bryan Cooper© Photo Healy Racing
Coole Avenue kept on best to take the three mile Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle for Tralee men Tom and Bryan Cooper.
Sent off at 9/1, the 8yo son of Snurge was held up towards the rear early on before making headway from three out.
He travelled well in fourth as they entered the straight and was ridden into second at the second last before staying on well to lead before the last.
He kept on well from there to score by three and a quarter lengths from the Tony Martin trained Victrix Gale in second who stayed on well under Paul Carberry at 12/1. Baresi finished a length and three parts back in third also at 12/1 for his trainer John Long under Paddy Mangan. Uponthe Hoof was sent off the well backed 5/1 favourite (10/1 this morning with Paddy Powers) under Paul Townend for Tom Taaffe but he disappointed and pulled up before the second last.
Winning trainer Tom Cooper said afterwards: "The last time he won was here two years ago when he won his maiden hurdle.
"He is a horse that has had leg trouble. His form was solid and he had a lovely run behind Aughnacurraveel and Back In Focus at Tipperary. He had a nice run at Galway too and he fell at Bellewstown.
"Bryan was super on him. He said beforehand that he would drop him in and put him to sleep. He is a horse that stays all day. We might jump a fence with him now."
(On-course reporting by Alan Magee)
