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Hanlon eyes big pot for Dime A Dozen

Bryan Cooper on board Dime A DozenBryan Cooper on board Dime A Dozen
© Photo Healy Racing

Dime A Dozen defied top weight of 11st 10lb with a game performance off the front in the Gowran Park Mares Handicap Hurdle.

The Jeremy mare was always to the fore with Trees Valley in this two and a half miler but readily went on by a few lengths from that rival off the home bend.

She jumped the second last with a clear advantage and was soon ridden by Bryan Cooper to keep the revs up.

Once the last was negotiated, the job was completed as she delivered by four and a half lengths at 7/2. Beat Of The Sea took second at 9/1 and she was six lengths in front of 5/2 favourite Trees Valley who weakened out of contention.

Trainer Shark Hanlon said: “She's very consistent, she's never been out of the first three and that's her sixth win.

“Good ground is a big thing for her. On her last two runs over fences the ground got soft both days. Both times I told him to ride her as well as you can but don't kill her.

“She's qualified for the Red Mills race at Punchestown worth €75,000 in two or three weeks time, or she could go chasing.

“If I'm not happy, though, she'll go chasing as she's one for next summer. The minute the ground goes she'll be gone.

“All my horses are the same, the minute the sun stops shining I'm afraid I'll stop shining!

Additional reporting by Gary Carson

About Michael Graham
Michael has worked in horse racing journalism for more than 15 years, having also written a weekly betting column on Gaelic football and hurling for a newspaper. He is involved in writing the My Racing Story features on this website. He spent a year in South Africa completing a Diploma in Business Administration and also studied Newspaper Journalism in Belfast. He enjoys playing 5-a-side football on a regular basis.