A lovely shot of Arkwrisht and Bryan Cooper© Photo Healy Racing
It all came together nicely for Arkwrisht dropped in class, as he came home at his ease as the 9/10 favourite in the 2016 Tramore Annual Badge — Great Gift For Christmas Maiden Hurdle.
Bryan Cooper donned the maroon and white of his employers, Gigginstown House Stud, on the Willie Mullins-trained French-bred, and he got off the mark on attempt number five here, having been a beaten market-leader twice in the past.
The son of Lavirco took over approaching two out in this two mile five furlong heat, he soon asserted, and was clear before the last on the way to accounting for Laid Back Luke by all of seventeen lengths.
"He got the job done. He loves heavy ground and he is an out and out galloper. He will go chasing sooner rather than later. I would imagine he won't be hanging around over hurdles," was the post race reaction of Cooper.
J.M. Moore, rider of Raggy Rogue trained by L. Byrne, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount was pulled up having never travelled from flagfall.
(DM & EM)
