Coole Cafe shows smart turn of foot in the bumper Coole Cafe added to an Academy Hurdle win at Navan in December when quickening up nicely to take the Cheltenham Trials Day At Naas Racecourse (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race. The pace was steady on the heavy ground with the five runners virtually in a line across the track over two furlongs out. Eoghan Finegan’s mount made headway on the inner to lead well over a furlong out and the 5/1 shot soon asserted and kept on well for a comfortable three and a half lengths success. Apache Peak took the runner-up spot with Todo Bien a further two and a quarter lengths back in third. Winning trainer Gavin Cromwell said, “The last day was my own fault. The first day she had ear plugs in, and I let Deccy (Lavery) ride her too close to the pace the last day and she got very lit up as I forgot to put the ear plugs in. She was rotten keen and he couldn’t get her settled at all. “It was ideal there today, only five runners she could follow them around in last and she has loads of gears. “It was a very good performance. She went through the line well and she’s a nice filly. Going forward she’s going to learn. Back over hurdles on nice ground, going a gallop, we’ll be fine with her. “We wouldn’t rule out trying to pick up a bit of black type in a bumper. I don’t know if she qualifies for a UK Listed bumper as she won the academy hurdle. We’ll have to look into that. “There is a race at Sandown on March 3rd, so we’ll explore that.” Quotes by Gary Carson
