Eric Bloodaxe and Bryan Cooper© Photo Healy Racing
Bryan Cooper registered a biggest win for Gigginstown House Stud in four and a half years today when riding Eric Bloodaxe to win Limerick's featured Grade 2 Lyons Of Limerick Jaguar Novice Hurdle.
Cooper was retained rider for Michael O'Leary's operation from early 2014 to July 2017, winning the 2016 Gold Cup on Don Cossack, with their previous biggest win together being a Punchestown festival Grade 1 with Apple's Jade in 2017.
Today Eric Bloodaxe, conqueror of Ferny Hollow on bumper debut in December 2019, was produced with a well-timed challenge to lead at the second last and eventually comfortably beat Freedom To Dream
Cooper, a final-fence faller from second-placed Asterion Forlonge in yesterday's King George Chase at Kempton, reported “it was a big question mark stepping up in trip even though he was 5/4, but it was a pleasing performance for any horse to win seven lengths on that ground. He has a good future and will only improve.
“It was like all these big-field graded races when three quarters shouldn't be in the race and were in the way and they got racing plenty early coming down the hill. I was happy enough to let them at it as I knew I had a gear.
“Joseph (O'Brien, winning trainer) said the ground wouldn't be in his favour so I was trying to save as much as I could.
“I remember him winning a bumper and said I wouldn't mind having a go on him down the road so it is great to pick this up and I'm delighted.”
