The Paddy Hogan owned and trained Cool Oscar is a useful horse at his own level, when on song, and he certainly was that in today's Costellos Tavern Handicap Hurdle at Tipperary. He secured career win number four under Paul Townend.

Townend brought the 25/1 chance through from mid-division to track the leaders from the third last.

He led entering the straight and was gone clear from before the last.

At the winning post Cool Oscar had easily eclipsed Bank Bonus and Dfordarsi by eight and a half lengths and a neck.

"It's very hard to keep him right as he has very bad feet. I have to take my time with him," explained Hogan.

"I knew he was in good form today though – he was eating at me when I was saddling him up.

"I have two in training and the other one, Ballyine ran in the previous race and he was fourth.

"This fella won't run for another month. I'll try and keep him sweet."

D.N. Russell, rider of Lite Duties trained by C.Byrnes, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount never travelled.

D.E. Mullins, rider of Fennis Moll trained by John Joseph Hanlon, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount missed a hurdle and jumped very poorly thereafter.

(TW & EM)