Theatre Bird (Bryan Cooper) jumps the last ahead of Upsie© Photo Healy Racing
Leopardstown bookmakers were rubbing their hands after enjoying some welcome relief in the IFG EBF Mares Hurdle as Theatre Bird made all to upset more fancied rivals.
Bryan Cooper’s mount set a solid pace, and started to stretch her rivals after two out.
The 10/11 favourite Upsie jumped better than on some previous occasions but could find no extra at the last and weakened on the run-in to finish fourth.
It was left to Caoimhe’s Delight to chase home the 14/1 winner four and a half lengths adrift, with Jennies Jewel taking third in this Grade 3 event.
Winning trainer Sean Doyle said, “It was a very good run at Clonmel the last day, and Bryan said he’d plenty up his sleeve.
“A lot of the credit goes to my brother Donnacha. We’ve had a tough time lately but this helps to make up a bit for it. She’ll probably come back here at the end of January for a handicap.”
Cooper said, “She’s a good tough mare. Sean is a great point-to-point trainer, and when he tells you he has a good one he knows. She went a good gallop and she jumps well.”
