Cooper doubles up on Gift

Bryan Cooper completed a quick double at Tipperary as Final Gift proved too strong in the Kilfeacle Stud Handicap Chase.

The John Costello-trained gelding had previously won five times between the flags, plus a hunter chase at Tramore, but was on something of a retrieval mission here having disappointed when a well-backed 3/1 favourite at Leopardstown back in February. Stonehall Jack made most of the running and was only headed by the 5/1 winner approaching the last.

Cooper's mount edged left across Winter Magic before the final fence and had a length and a quarter to spare over the 7/2 favouite at the line, with Stonehall Jack just half a length further away in third.

The stewards decided to have a look at that incident but the placings remained unaltered.

Cooper was completing a double having partnered 11/10 favourite Horendous Hulabaloo to take the beginners chase just half-an-hour earlier.

Costello said, "His early point to point form was good but he ran no race at Leopardstown when he was a little flat. Nothing came to light but he just never travelled and maybe having had three quick runs left him flat.

"This is his level and he might run again as long as we get some rain, the odd shower would do me."

(TW & AM)