Ballyfinboy pops the last under Bryan Cooper © Photo Healy Racing
It’s a long way to Tipperary, but the journey back is made much shorter when a major gamble is landed. Ballyfinboy trained by Jimmy Finn in Nenagh, was 33/1 this morning for the two mile seven handicap hurdle at Navan.
That was hammered down to 12/1, before he opened at 9/1 on course and contracted to 7/1 on the off.
Bryan Cooper was booked for the six-year-old. He set out to make all and held a 12-length lead over nearest pursuer Tarquinius (5/1) throughout.
Ballyfinboy gamely kept galloping up the hill after the last and although Tarquinius closed to within a neck at the finishing post, the spoils were landed.
Trainer Jimmy Finn said: “He got away well! He does stay. He’s a much better horse on better ground. Chasing is his main aim. He’ll have a few more runs over hurdles.”
The front two were well clear of Whisky And Red in third at 3/1. The 11/4 favourite Cool Oscar never got into the race in fourth.
Last Time D’Albain was the forecast favourite this morning, but was a non runner as he was found to be lame.
