Toner gets Cooper off the mark

Bryan Cooper got off the mark as No 1 rider for Gigginstown House Stud, as he partnered the Gordon Elliott trained Toner D’Oudairies to victory in the feature race at Thurles this afternoon, the Listed Thurles Racecourse Supporters Club Chase.

On just his second ride in his new role, Cooper settle his mount in third, taking closer order at seven from home, before moving into second at the fifth last fence.

He was then left in front as the 6/4 favourite Rupert Lamb under Ruby Walsh for Willie Mullins, crashed out at the fourth last, and while he was pressed up the home straight by Letter Of Credit (12/1), for Philip Enright and Jimmy Mangan, he was driven out away from the last to beat that rival by two lengths at the line.

The winner opened at 13/8 last night with Paddy Power but he was friendless with punters and went off at 3/1, while Make A Track who finished a well beaten third under Davy Russell, was backed from 2/1 to 13/8 on-course (was 7/2 last night with Paddy Power).

The winning seven-year-old son of Polish Summer was recording his eighth career success this afternoon, and his sixth over fences.

Gordon Elliott said afterwards: "I thought he might need it a bit but he has been a good servant and it was nice to get Bryan off to a good start.

"He will come back here for a conditions chase in a few weeks' time."

Bryan Cooper added: "He was entitled to do that. It is great to get a winner for Gigginstown, they have been very good to me since the start.

"I knew this horse and I won on him in the past so I knew his form was very good. It is great to have those choices to make."

This race was previously run as a Grade 3 contest (the Phil Sweeney Memorial Chase), but was downgraded to Listed class this year.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes