Very Wood and Bryan Cooper on their way to victory© Photo Healy Racing
Bryan Cooper, earlier victorious in Grade 2 company on Dedigout in the Ladbrokes Ireland Boyne Hurdle, made it a double for himself and Gigginstown House Stud, aboard Very Wood in the Grade 2 Ten Up Novice Chase at Navan.
The Cheltenham Festival victor bounced back from two pulled up efforts, in November and December, to build on the promise of his Galway chasing bow back in October.
He got the better of the front-running Noble Emperor from the third last, going on to beat that one by four and a quarter lengths.
Cooper had preferred 13/2 chance Very Wood, to Gigginstown and Sandra Hughes' 100/30 hope, Thunder And Roses and his judgement was vindicated as that one came home sixteen lengths off them in third.
Noel Meade of course has care of the 2014 Albert Bartlett hero and he said: "I don't know what was wrong with him. He can be a bit funny at home but he has started looking better recently and felt better.
"He worked well on the flat at Punchestown with Apache Stronghold and Texas Jack, and that has been nicely boosted since.
"He's a Cheltenham winner so he has to go back if he's alright. My initial reaction is to go for the four miler but it's up to Eddie and Michael (O'Leary) what they want to do."
Meanwhile on another one of their charges, Wounded Warrior (a Naas Grade 2 victor), Meade commented: "He's in super form and may go for the RSA. He was worked to run here, and I've always thought he's a very good horse.
"He's a bit weaker than Very Wood, and the Irish National is in the back of my mind but it would be asking a lot to go to Cheltenham first and then go there."
In ante-post news Paddy Power go 8/1 (from 14) for the four mile National Hunt Chase, and 16/1 (from 33s) for the RSA Chase about Very Wood.
The Stewards requested a report from Noel Meade, trainer as to the apparent improvement in form of Very Wood (FR), winner, as compared with its recent form. The trainer reported that he could offer no definite reasons for his poor runs last twice but that the horse is an inconsistent and quirky sort. Having considered the evidence the Stewards noted the explanation offered.
(AM & EM)
