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Cooper scores again on Nama'd

Nearly Nama'd  and Bryan Cooper jump the last Nearly Nama'd and Bryan Cooper jump the last
© Photo Healy Racing

In-form pilot Bryan Cooper was on the mark again as Nearly Nama'd posted a cosy front-running success in the two-mile maiden hurdle at Navan.

City Slicker was sent off 4/9 favourite to atone for an odds-on defeat at the course last month but proved disappointing once again.

Cooper exuded confidence on Dessie Hughes' charge and could afford a peak through his legs before the last to look for dangers.

City Slicker was still travelling under Ruby Walsh but after a slightly untidy jump at the last found little. Nearly Nama'd kept on strongly for an easy nine-length success.

City Slicker couldn't even hold the runner-up spot as 25/1 shot Bold Revenge got up for second close home.

The 9/2 winner had shown glimpses of ability since graduating from point-to-points, chasing home Byerley Babe in a Thurles bumper before finishing fifth, having race prominently, at Naas in January.

The gelding had joined Hughes' yard since his last run having previously been trained by Harry Kelly.

“I have him since he run at Naas. Tim O'Driscoll bought him after the run at Naas,” revealed Hughes.

“He had some jumping experience as he ran in point-to-points and he really goes on that ground.”

Hughes also reflected on a fine week at Cheltenham, which was capped by the victory of Our Conor:- “All the horses came out of Cheltenham well. Most of them ran really well and I'm delighted with the way the week went.”

(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.