A lovely shot of No More Heroes and Bryan Cooper© Photo Healy Racing
There might have been some doubt as to what would go off favourite but No More Heroes (13/8) shaded that position at the top of the market and he more than lived up to his billing out on the track in the Grade 1 Bar One Racing Drinmore Novice Chase at Fairyhouse.
Gordon Elliott had a strong hand with well-backed 7/4 shot Free Expression also in the field, but his fluent jumping No More Heroes stamped his authority on proceedings up the straight. Monksland didn't match the Bryan Cooper-ridden winner in the jumping stakes and try as he might he couldn't live with the 'jolly' from between the final two fences.
In the end Cooper could ease up near the finish and still have two and a half lengths in hand over Monksland at the line. There was a gap of eight and a half lengths back to Free Expression in third.
"He jumps and stays. Over hurdles he spent a lot of time in the air, and he's always looked like chasing would be his game. He's a tough horse, and was a bit unlucky in Cheltenham last year. Bryan said he was nearly jumping too well today," stated Elliott.
"I'd say the longer he goes the better he'll be, and I'd imagine he'll go over three miles at Christmas. I'll have to talk to Michael and Eddie (winning owners Gigginstown House Stud) but he could go for the Grade 1 at Leopardstown or the Feltham at Kempton is another option. Something might travel over for that to keep Don Cossack company."
For the RSA Chase Paddy Power go 5/1fav No More Heroes (from 8/1) whilst BoyleSports & Ladbrokes are 6/1 (from 8/1).
Monksland is 12/1 (from 20/1) with BoyleSports for the same race.
D.N. Russell, rider of Captain Von Trappe trained by Gordon Elliott, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount hung left handed.
(AM & EM)
