Cossack to try a drop of Whiskey
The seven-year-old was hard at work to challenge Loosen My Load and Alderwood going to the second last but, in front rising at the final obstacle, powered clear on the run-in to beat Loosen My Load by five and a half lengths.
“He feels stronger and I decided to mind him and ride him like a good horse,” stated winning rider Bryan Cooper. “He knuckled down really well and came home strong.”
Winning trainer Gordon Elliott confirmed that Roi Du Mee (finished a distant last of four) is going down the cross-country route while the Grade 2 Powers Irish Whiskey Chase at Down Royal next month will be Don Cossack’s next assignment.
Elliott completed a double for Gigginstown when 4/11 shot Utmost Zeal, ridden by Nina Carberry, won the bumper, holding fellow newcomer Beau Et Sublime by a head.
The Willie Mullins-trained Alelchi Inois extended his unbeaten record over fences, stretching back to May, when making all to win the Grade 3 Buck House Novice Chase under Ruby Walsh.
Recording his fifth straight win over fences the 30/100 favourite dictated the pace, jumped impeccably and, won, hard held, by six lengths, from British raider August Hill.
“He jumps well and loves this ground,” said Mullins. “I’ll keep campaigning him for as long as I can, once the ground is right. I’m not sure what to do with him, whether to let him carry his penalties at Grade 3 level or step him up a grade or two.”
* Kieren Fallon has revealed he plans to move to the US in an attempt to revive his riding career, with the jockey open to making the move permanent should it prove successful.
The six-time champion jockey, 49, said on Thursday night: “I want to go to America to see if I do want to stop riding or continue.
“I’d like to go back to California, which I intend doing in the next couple of weeks, just to try to get the buzz back again. Things really haven’t happened in the second half of this year and you get a bit stale.”
