Road To Riches and Bryan Cooper © Photo Healy Racing
Road To Riches stormed clear in the closing stages to make an impressive return to action in the Clonmel Oil Chase this afternoon.
Bryan Cooper made the running on the Gold Cup third in the Grade Two contest and he was asked for an effort two from home in the two-and-a-half mile contest.
Noel Meade 's charge really got motoring going to the last and he produced a fine leap at the final fence to seal matters.
The Gamut gelding, carrying the first colours of a trio of Gigginstown runners, stayed on strongly on the run-in to record a six-length success over Bright New Dawn
The winner had been available at even-money this morning but was strongly supported and ended up going to post a 8/13 shot.
"I don't usually sweat about runners but I couldn't sleep last night," admitted Meade.
"I was thinking would he fancy the track or the ground and going two and a half miles around here. You'd have to be happy though and he jumped great.
"Bryan said he was full of running going down to the last and there is no question that he stays three miles.
"We know what to do with him now but don't know where we go next. Michael (O'Leary) mentioned the Durkan Chase but I think three miles would suit better. I'd rather run in either the Lexus or King George.
"Everything in the outfit (Gigginstown) is done on a discussion basis and there'll be any amount of discussion but the Chairman usually rules anyway!"
Cooper said:- "He did it well. It was tough work out there. Conditions were hard as there is a good strong headwind.
"To be fair having to make the running on your first run isn't ideal. A lot of things went against him, the track, the ground, the trip, but he had to come here and he did it well. Hopefully he's open to more improvement.
"The extra week or two we got (coming here) instead of Down Royal probably left us better for today than it would have for Down Royal so that helped out.
"I was impressed with his jumping. When I needed him he was very good and he couldn't have done it any better.
"I committed him down to the last. In these good races you don't want to be sitting up. Types likes him are used to going forward. He got me out of trouble.
"He's a nice horse to look forward to. He can go two-and-a-half but ideally probably three miles is better suited.
"We have plenty for the staying division so we'll have to see where we are going with them."
It was a quick double for Cooper in the Gigginstown colours as the Gordon Elliott-trained Prince Of Scars had won the previous three-mile handicap hurdle.
Paddy Power cut Road To Riches into 3/1 from 6/1 for a repeat success in the Lexus Chase. He is now 14/1 from 16/1 with the same firm for the Gold Cup.
