Kilavalley and Bryan Cooper win the opener at Galway© Photo Healy Racing
Bryan Cooper made all on Kilavalley (10/3) who relished the track and ground at Galway to land the two mile maiden hurdle by two and a quarter lengths from Ancient Days
He had run second and third in two bumpers at Kilbeggan and Tramore respectively, but that’s not the game for this five-year-old as trainer Dessie Hughes said: “He just wasn’t quick enough for bumpers.
“He’s a grand horse. The owners bought him as a foal as they had his half brother Glenbarrow. His jumping was super for a novice.
“He went on the ground which is a big help for the winter.”
Ancient Days (7/2) tried to hunt down the winner and closed after the last, but was never getting there as Cooper’s mount maintained the gallop all the way uphill to the line. Silver Shuffle (10/3) was another two and three parts of a length back in third. Sam Da Vinci went off 3/1 favourite for Tony and Danny Mullins, however he couldn’t get into contention in the home straight and finished out of the places in fourth.
(Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes)
