Toner D'Oudairies jumps the last just ahead of Letter Of Credit© Photo Healy Racing
Bryan Cooper didn't take long to make his mark as number one jockey to Gigginstown House Stud as he celebrated his first day in the job by steering Toner D'Oudairies to victory in the Listed Thurles Racecourse Supporters Club Chase.
The consistent seven-year-old watched on as favourite Rupert Lamb and Make A Track sporting the same colours as the winner, cut out the running, but a number of jumping errors from the latter meant he was always on the back foot and it was Rupert Lamb who strode on when the race began in earnest.
However, a crashing fall from the market leader four out left the door open for Cooper to ease Toner D'Oudairies to the front and with Make A Track now paying for his earlier mistakes, it was left to outsider Letter Of Credit to put up most resistance.
He ensured the 3-1 winner had to work plenty hard enough for his prize but Cooper's mount was always doing enough in recording a two-length success.
Cooper was out of luck when partnering 11-8 favourite Desertmore Stream in the I.N.H Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle.
His chance had gone when taking a tired fall at the final flight as The Pounds (9-1) had already put the race to bed en route to recording a stylish seven-length defeat of Kerrieonvic
A similarly impressive performance was recorded by shock winner Carrigeen Kariega in the Thurles Racecourse Handicap Chase.
The 25-1 shot was sent to the front in the back straight and quickly had her rivals toiling, eventually putting 12 lengths between herself and runner-up Blissful Moment at the line.
The Willie Mullins-trained Urano was beginning to prove frustrating but he benefited from a patient Ruby Walsh ride to run out a nine-length winner of the thurles.ie Maiden Hurdle and the manner of that success suggested he might prove capable of plying his trade at a higher level in the future.< Cloudy Rock lined up for the Holycross Mares Flat Race with a big reputation but she proved a bitter disappointment as Mullins' 11-4 shot Beluckyagain ran out a comfortable two-and-three-quarter
