Eddie O’Leary: Bryan Cooper to leave Gold Cup call until late

Gigginstown House Stud manager Eddie O’Leary expects jockey Bryan Cooper to wait until the last minute before deciding which horse he will ride in this season’s Cheltenham Gold Cup.

The leading owners have a formidable hand for the blue riband, with Don Cossack and Don Poli both prominent in the betting, not to mention last year’s third Road To Riches.

Don Cossack is heading straight to Prestbury Park having bounced back from his fall in the King George VI Chase at Kempton with a workmanlike victory in last week’s Kinloch Brae Chase at Thurles, while last year’s RSA Chase hero Don Poli made it two from two for the season in Leopardstown’s Lexus Chase over the Festive period.