Coole battles to success in opener

Coole River showed great resolution to make a winning debut over jumps in the opening A Bartlett & Sons Maiden Hurdle at Down Royal.

Barry Geraghty sent his mount to the front before the third last but he was joined before the last by Steel Park

The pair had a ding-dong battle on the run-in with Jessica Harrington's charge just fending off his rival by a head.

"He's a lovely big horse and is going to be a lovely chaser," said Harrington.

"We'll see how we get on with him but he's not in the Royal Bond or anything like that. We might just wait to Christmas with him.

"Barry said he jumped really well and was brilliant at the last two when he asked him. I imagine he won't get much further and we'll keep him to two miles or 2m2f."