One Cool Poet writes winning chapter in north

Matthew Smith's One Cool Poet bounced right back to form under a patient ride from Bryan Cooper in the extended two mile handicap hurdle at Down Royal.

The 10-year-old gelding raced in rear and made good headway through the field to pick up the lead before the last.

He drew six lengths clear on the run-in to score at 12/1. Doyenna was headed by him before the last and could make no impression in second at 4/1. Listentillitellyea the 18/5 favourite, was another two and a quarter lengths back in third.

Cooper said: "He was like a five-furlong sprinter, a bull on the way to the start.

"He (Smith) said he barely get the trip so I'll leave it in your hands and ride for luck. He jumped unreal.

"He has a lot of speed so I knew if he got half a gap he would get through it.

"It's great for the horse as he is known for a Galway specialist. Great to get him back and win a hurdle race with him.

"He travelled really well and changing things around with those older horses seems to help (headgear left off today). He's with a shrewd operator who knows what he is doing."