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- Compensation for McNamara as Cooper doubles-up
Donal Murphy
Compensation for McNamara as Cooper doubles-up
Matin D'anjou leads Judgement Day over the last
© Photo Healy Racing
Robbie McNamara gained swift compensation in the Ferrybank Opel Beginners Chase, as his Matin D'anjou made all.
McNamara was left rueing his luck after the previous race, with Epsilon Indi falling at the last when looking set to score.
Bryan Cooper won that contest aboard Lady Of The Sea and he doubled-up here on Matin D'anjou, who was returned the 5/2 second favourite.
Sent straight to the front, on what was his second start for McNamara, he was pressed from three out by the 4/6 favourite Judgement Day
The Dr Ronan Lambe owned victor was pushed along from two out, and kept on well when ridden on the run-in, going on to see off the market leader by a neck.
The front pair went seventy-one lengths clear of Double Portrait in third.
Cooper said afterwards: "The saddle slipped with a circuit to go. I just tried to keep my balance, and thankfully he is a very good leaper and he stayed straight, but I couldn't move on him until I got over the last.
"We went at it along way out, Rachael (Blackmore on Judgement Day) was trying to get me off the bridle I'd say. Luckily my lad stayed straight.
"Robbie's horses are running well, and he deserved that after what happened in the last race. He is not here today but I'm sure he is cheering on at home. It's good to get a winner for him before Galway."