Cooper injured as Jim scores

The opening Buy Your Annual Punchestown 2011 Annual Membership Handicap Chase at Punchestown today went to Kilfeacle, Co Tipperary based trainer Joe Fogarty’s Gentleman Jim under Tom Doyle.

The son of Supreme Leader made all and stretched clear of his rivals from two out, eventually recording an easy 15 lengths win under a sound ride from Doyle.

Afterwards Fogarty stated “I wasn’t expecting him to win like that but he seems to run better around big galloping tracks. It was Tom (Doyle)’s suggestion to run him in first-time blinkers today and he is a very under-rated rider.”

Jockey Bryan Cooper, who was blundered out of the saddle by the exit of Flag Of Honour suffered a suspected fractured left arm in the fall.