Father Jack and Bryan Cooper © Photo Healy Racing
Father Jack galloped on strongly in the closing stages to run out a convincing winner of the two-and-a-half mile handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse.
Bryan Cooper settled his mount mid-division before making his move turning for home.
The 9/2 joint-favourite (from 6/1) jumped into the lead at the second last and was in control going to the final flight.
The Dessie Hughes-trained gelding stuck on well to score by three-and-a-half lengths from Redclue
“I’ll put that down to perseverance. He’s run some reasonable races and had his chances. He took advantage today,” said Hughes.
“We’ll find another one as long as the handicapper is not too hard on him. It looks as if he’ll get three miles.
“He kept very wide as he doesn’t like heavy ground and it worked.”
Bank Bonus backed this morning from 10/1 into 3/1, was the other 9/2 joint favourite and finished back in third.
(Additional reporting by Alan Magee)
