Old Time Melody (right) and Bryan Cooper© Photo Healy Racing
The father and son team of Tom and Bryan Cooper successfully teamed up with Old Time Melody to take the 2m7f handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse.
The six-year-old gelding made the frame on both handicap outings last month and this step up in trip seemed to suit well.
The 10/1 chance struck the front early in the straight, and kept on really well on the run-in to beat The Grey Guy by two and three quarter lengths. Kymin's Way came home strongly under top-weight to finish a further three quarters of a length back in third, with All The Chimneys finding no extra in the closing stages back in fourth.
Tom Cooper said, "It's long overdue. A lot of mine were sick but we got to the bottom of the problem after Christmas. It was a small problem but that can be a major thing, and I think we've turned a corner now.
"He's in again at Navan on Saturday and we'll see how he is. He's tough and stays going so the track there should suit."
(GC & AM)
