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Gary Carson

Gary Carson

Cooper strong on Coolking

Wed 2nd Oct 2013, 17:25

Coolking and Bryan Cooper (nearest) clear the last fence with KandinskiCoolking and Bryan Cooper (nearest) clear the last fence with Kandinski
© Photo Healy Racing

Coolking proved strongest on the run-in to open his chasing account in the Sligo IT Student Day At Sligo Beginners Chase.

The King's Theatre gelding was making his first start for Dessie Hughes today and was given a well judged ride by stable pilot Bryan Cooper.

The eventual winner had chased front-runner Lady Olwyn throughout in the two-and-a-half mile contest.

He moved through to dispute at the second last but well-backed 2/1 favourite Kandinski (from 11/4, 7/2 in morning) appeared to be travelling the better on his inner.

That rival couldn't pick up on the run-in, however, as Cooper forged ahead on his mount in the closing stages for a two-and-three-parts of a length success.

The 7/1 winner was bouncing back to form on his first outing for his new yard having finished a poor enough fourth at Galway on his last start in early August.

“He jumped great. He's very tough and stays well,” said Cooper. “I winged the last which was a big help as well.”

Trainer Hughes is continuing his recovery from an operation a few weeks ago and Cooper added:- “This will be a good boost for the boss. He's running things around the yard and I'm sure he'll be back racing soon.”

(Additional reporting by Alan Magee)

About Gary Carson
Gary started out as a trainee/assistant journalist with the Sporting Life newspaper and has worked in the racing industry for over 25 years. He has been with the Press Association since 2013 and won the Irish Field Nap Table in 2016. He enjoys working with horses and trained his own horse, Mamaslittlestar, to win a point-to-point in 2019.