Cooper reaches another milestone

CHAMPION conditional rider Bryan Cooper reached another notable milestone is his burgeoning career when partnering Pistol Jack to victory in the Ryans Events Cleaners Handicap Chase in Galway yesterday.

The teenager lost his 3lb claim on the nine-year-old, trained by his boss Dessie Hughes, who commented: “Bryan gave him a very good ride. The horse isn’t straight-forward as he idles in front. But he’s improving, jumps well and loves summer ground. If he’s okay, he’ll run again in Kilbeggan on Friday.”

The featured Guinness Handicap Chase went to the Thomond O’Mara-trained Eagles Pass, ridden by Paul Townend to follow-up his Killarney win during the week and initiate a notable across-the-card double completed by Castle Bar Sling in the Irish Cambridgeshire at the Curragh.