Chit Chat gives Gigginstown/Cooper a double

Two Monbeg horses won at the Lismore point-to-point this time last year. 'Worldwide' has won three bumpers since for Gigginstown House Stud. The other one, 'Chit Chat' won his first in the interim when justifying odds of 1/5 in the Lisronagh Maiden Hurdle at Clonmel.

It was a second win for Gigginstown and Bryan Cooper in as many races at Powerstown Park, as Clara Sorrento had come good for the Noel Meade stable in the opener.

This race was Monbeg Chit Chat s to lose once he took over in the straight. He just had to safely negotiate the final two and though the promising newcomer Chatham Street Lad threatened danger to some degree, he was two and three parts of a length down at the line.

Winning trainer Henry de Bromhead said: "I was hoping he could reproduce his run here the last day and he did. He's improving with every run. Bryan thought he's still a bit babyish and should make a lovely chaser next year.

"We'll look for one of those rated novice hurdles. There is one at Limerick on the 30th of March, and I wouldn't mind stepping him up in trip as well. He seems to like that really heavy ground."

Monbeg Chit Chat was purchased at the Tattersalls Ireland Cheltenham Festival Sale last St Patrick's Day for 200,000 pounds by Harold Kirk and Willie Mullins. He obviously ended up with de Bromhead after the split between Gigginstown and Mullins.

B.T. O'Connell, rider of Aaron Lad trained by Kieran Purcell, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount jumped severely to the right and caused interference.

S.J. Gray, rider of Chapelier trained by E. J. O'Grady, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount was carried out after avoiding a faller at the first hurdle and consequently pulled up.

R. Loughran, rider of Broadway Babe trained by Robert Tyner, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount was carried out after avoiding a faller at the first hurdle and consequently pulled up.

B. Hayes, rider of Urban Classic trained by Michael J. McDonagh, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount was pulled up having never travelled throughout the race.

(AM & EM)