Coopers collect with Old Time Melody

The father and son team of Tom and Bryan Cooper successfully teamed up with Old Time Melody to take the 2m7f handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse.

The six-year-old gelding made the frame on both handicap outings last month and this step up in trip seemed to suit well.

The 10/1 chance struck the front early in the straight, and kept on really well on the run-in to beat The Grey Guy by two and three quarter lengths. Kymin's Way came home strongly under top-weight to finish a further three quarters of a length back in third, with All The Chimneys finding no extra in the closing stages back in fourth.

Tom Cooper said, "It's long overdue. A lot of mine were sick but we got to the bottom of the problem after Christmas. It was a small problem but that can be a major thing, and I think we've turned a corner now.

"He's in again at Navan on Saturday and we'll see how he is. He's tough and stays going so the track there should suit."

(GC & AM)