Bryan Cooper has appealed against a four day suspension for improper riding at Navan last weekend but first of all will aim to secure Grade One glory in his role as retained jockey for Michael O'Leary's Gigginstown Stud at Fairyhouse this Sunday. The jockey has an enviable pick of Gigginstown entries in the Bar One Drinmore Novice Chase but admitted to being impressed by Valseur Lido on his Punchestown debut.
“He impressed me with how he jumped and I think that two and a half miles on that ground is what he wants. The Drinmore could be a race that suits him,” Cooper said.
“We have Real Steel for that as well. I’m lucky to have the choice. Real Steel will probably go on to be a three mile chaser in time. They are two different types of horses,” he added.
Cooper was banned last Sunday after winning a maiden hurdle on the odds-on Milsean but is free to ride this weekend. The appeal will be heard next Monday.
The latter's trainer Willie Mullins is heavily represented in Sunday's Grade One card at Fairyhouse and has left open the option of running the highly-touted French import Allez Colombieres in the Royal Bond Novice Hurdle. However the multiple bumper also has maiden options, including at Thurles.
