Roi Du Mee and Bryan Cooper© Photo Healy Racing
Outsider of the field Roi Du Mee (12/1) made the breakthrough at Grade 1 level when landing the E140,000 JNwine.com Champion Steeplechase at Down Royal today, completing doubles on the day for both trainer Gordon Elliott and stand-in jockey Bryan Cooper.
Cooper was declared to ride another of Gigginstown House Stud's runners, Quito De La Roque, in the contest but that gelding was a late withdrawal (due to the going) and Cooper then switched to ride Roi Du Mee, from declared rider Keith Donoghue.
Roi Du Mee, previously successful 12 times but never at Grade 1 level, made all in a contest which featured previous Grade 1 winners First Lieutenant Kauto Stone (last year's winner), Mount Benbulben and Sizing Europe along with Grade 2 winner Prince De Beauchene
Mount Benbulben was full of running but blundered and unseated Danny Mullins at the fourth last while Sizing Europe's chances weren't helped by a mistake at the next, when giving chase to the winner. From that fence, Roi Du Mee went further clear and stayed on strongly for a 13 lengths win over Sizing Europe (finishing second in the race for the third time).
Afterwards a delighted Elliott stated “he's some little horse! He's a real favourite around the yard and is like a little terrier! I thought he was in good form but thought we were on for third or fourth place today.”
“I felt sorry for Mount Benbulben (stablemate of the winner) and I had my eye on him during the race; he appeared to be full of running when he fell and there should be another big race in him when he gets things together.”
Jockey Cooper added “he (Roi Du Mee) jumped unreal and I was confident the whole way he's a tough horse and he showed how good he is today. He could have done with some company as he didn't do a lot in front.”
Bookmakers were divided in which big race Roi Du Mee should tackle with Boylesports introduced the gelding at 20/1 for the Ryanair Chase while Paddy Power introduced him at 16/1 for the King George at Kempton and at 33/1 for the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Elliott had earlier been successful with Time To Work in the earlier handicap hurdle while Cooper had earlier steered Guitar Pete to win the opener.
By Thomas Weekes, quotes from Michael Graham.
