Coat wins comfortably for Hughes & Cooper

Pink Coat landed some nice bets as he ran out a comfortable winner of the Cashen Handicap Hurdle under Bryan Cooper for Dessie Hughes.

The grey son of Alhaarth was 10/1 this morning with Paddy Power, opening on-course at just 7s before going off a 6/1 chance.

Having finished fourth and fifth on his last two starts on the level, the six-year-old gelding was having his first run over hurdles for a nearly a year.

After chasing the leaders throughout, he moved through to dispute the lead after the third last, and he hit the front and travelled strongly entering the straight.

He went a couple of lengths clear after two out, and he kept on well from there, coming home a comfortable three length winner. Andalucia Lady ran a fine race to finish second at 20/1 under Shane Shorthall for Peter Fahey, while top-weight Battling Boru (14/1) finished back in third under Danny Mullins for his father Tony. College Boy completed the placings a head back in fourth under Mark Walsh for Conor O’Dwyer, while the 9/4 favourite (9/2 overnight with Paddy Power, opening at 11/4 on-course) Galloping Gander finished a further two and a half lengths back in fifth under Ruby Walsh for Tony Martin.

Sandra Hughes (daughter of Dessie) said afterwards: "He was very, very good today. He was running on the flat over the summer but this is his game.

"We thought he would run well but we didn’t think he would do that.

"Dad will be watching in at home. He came home from Hospital on Sunday and he was out on the gallops this morning so he is ready to go again."

Bryan Cooper added: "He had a few nice runs on the flat and he was working well at home.

"I was a bit worried about the ground but he travelled well and jumped great."

Additional reporting by Alan Magee