Woodbrook Boy and Bryan Cooper clear the last© Photo Healy Racing
John 'Shark' Hanlon registered his third success in the last seven days as Woodbrook Boy made all in the Newtown Cove Handicap Chase.
A winner of a point-to-point in January of 2019, the son of Doyen was since placed three times on the racecourse, but disappointingly pulled up on his most recent start at Killarney.
Sent off at 7/1 this evening, the six-year-old had all his rivals off the bridle on the approach to two out and he kept on well when ridden before the last, going on to prevail by a length and three parts. Crimson Chief (13/2 to 4s) ran on strongly but couldn't reel-in the winner and he had to settle for second under Kevin Brouder for John Morrison. Give Him Time was a further three and a quarter lengths back in third, while My Oakclahome who was sent off the 7/4 favourite, was a disappointing fifth.
Rachel O'Neill, winning owner and Hanlon's partner, said afterwards: "He had a good run before at Wexford and he tried to make all that day too. We put the cheekpieces back on him today and he needs good ground. We didn't think the cheekpieces were that important to him, the ground is more important to him than the cheekpieces.
"We have no major plans for him at the moment. He might come back here next month.
"Bryan (Cooper) is riding most of ours now and he is very good. He is getting on well with all the horses. He rides out with us a couple of days a week and he schools all the horses. He is a great asset to have."
Woodbrook Boy is a half-brother to six-time track winner Carthalawn who was successful over fences in Grade 2 company.
