BRYAN COOPER recorded a double on the opening session of the Northern Ireland Festival of Racing at Down Royal on Friday ahead of his date with destiny and Don Cossack in today’s feature chase.
Michael O’Leary’s retained rider claimed the featured WKD Hurdle aboard Identity Thief when making all the running to score despite bunny-hopping the final flight. He easily accounted for the placed pair Whiteout, which stayed on one pace and Modem, which filled third and had every chance.
“He’s a horse we always liked,” said Cooper.
“He’s strengthened up after the summer break. He may have got to the front too soon on his last two starts and got beat. He jumped very well except at the last and that was a case of mixed communications.”
“He showed some really nice form last year but possibly everything happened a bit quickly for him as he won his bumper and maiden hurdle first-time out both times,” said trainer Henry de Bromhead.
“I’ll talk to the O’Learys but I imagine he’ll stay hurdling this year and will make a lovely chaser. I’m delighted with that. I hope he’ll improve and he did it the hard way and Bryan gave him a super ride. The race that comes to mind is the Grade One Hatton’s Grace at Fairyhouse over two-and-a-half miles.”
The same scenario prevailed in the opener when Cooper made all on favourite Cogryhill to win, while winning trainer Gordon Elliott provided a one-two in the race when the locally owned debutante The Storyteller was the only danger to the winner in the closing stages.
“He’s a really big chaser in the making,” said Elliott.
“He could have done with some company as he was on his own and ducking and diving and didn’t know what to do.”
Crossgar trainer Colin McBratney supplied the first and third in the beginner’s chase when Topper Thornton with Adrian Heskin aboard prevailed after favourite Noble Endeavour blundered at the last when looking the likely winner and holding a slight advantage. Quickasyoucan filled third in the race for the second year.
Elliott was of the opinion that Noble Endeavour had been distracted by a shadow, while winning jockey Adrian Heskin said: “I thought I still had a chance at the last as he’s a horse that responds to company. I was sure he would pick up and Colin [McBratney] had him spot on today.”
Champion trainer Willie Mullins and champion jockey Ruby Walsh combined to claim the Grade Three mares’ hurdle with Listen Dear.
"I definitely didn’t expect her to win so comprehensively,” said Walsh.
“Pat [Mullins] told me she had only one gear and keep going. I was thinking at the top of the hill they have to be coming at me – I looked round two out and couldn’t believe it. She’s a fair mare.”
King Of Brega justified sustained support to land the handicap chase with numerous fallers over the final two fences while supplying de Bromhead with a double.
Pace And Passion denied Misdflight in the handicap hurdle as the pair wandered about in the closing stages producing a stewards’ inquiry, while Tombstone was the runaway winner of the finale giving Gordon Elliott a first and last race double and Gigginstown Stud a treble ahead Don Cossack tackling today’s big chase.
