Cossack enters King George/Gold Cup picture

Bryan Cooper gained a measure of compensation for opting to ride the wrong horse in the Grade 1 JN Wine Chase at Down Royal today when steering the Gordon Elliott trained Don Cossack to Grade 2 victory in the subsequent three runner Powers Irish Whiskey Chase.

Cooper opted to ride First Lieutentant (finished fourth) in today's feature event for his retained owner Michael O'Leary's Gigginstown House Stud, instead of the similarly owned and subsequent winner Road To Riches

However 35 minutes later Cooper bounced back on Don Cossack, which made all for a fine eight and a half lengths win over Wonderful Charm with 54 lengths back to outsider of the trio Burn And Turn

Following Don Cossack's win, Elliott stated “to be fair Gigginstown opted for this race but he beat Road To Riches last year so he wouldn't have been out of place in the Grade 1.

“I thought it was a good performance and he jumped well the whole way. I liked the way he put distance on them from the third last to the line.

“He's fulfilling his potential and will be entered in Leopardstown and in the King George (at Kempton).”

Boylesports introduced him at 16/1 for the King George and he remains 25/1 with the same firm for the Gold Cup.

By Thomas Weekes, quotes from Michael Graham