Butch Coolidge gives Hayes an across-the-card treble A good day turned into a great day for Brian Hayes as he guided the David Harry Kelly-trained Butch Coolidge (7/1) to victory in the Tramore Races Maiden Hurdle. It was a good performance from the winner, who appeared to hang to his left in the closing stages, but he looked always in control for Hayes to edge out Tolka Row (18/1), who finished second, while Thiscouldbetheone (5/4 favourite) was back in third. Speaking after the race, Kelly said: “He’s a year older now and it (improvement) goes with that family,” said Kelly. “A hood was a big help to him as well, he just lost his race at the start a few days last year. “I’m delighted for the lads, the horse was working really well at home and we would have been disappointed going home if he didn’t go close. “You never know with racehorses, I had a horse that we liked a lot in Listowel today and it just didn’t happen for him. “He’s a nice horse, jumps well and jumps a fence well. We’re starting the season on the right note. “He won it with a nice bit in hand. We entered him in it thinking it might be a worse race but it wasn’t the worst race in the world for an ‘unplaced maiden’. “I’m delighted and very grateful to the lads for sending on these horses.” (Quotes from Gary Carson)
