Bright New Dawn makes a winning debut over fences© Photo Healy Racing
Bryan Cooper took over on Bright New Dawn after Davy Russell was stood down feeling very sore after his fall from Sir Des Champs in the feature, and it proved a great spare ride as the 5/4 favourite made a successful debut over fences in the Setanta Sports €1 Offer Beginners Chase.
The Presenting gelding, a Grade 2 winner over hurdles last term, made all in this two and a half mile event but had to withstand a strong challenge from chief market rival Dogora on the run-in.
The Gigginstown six-year-old, completing a double on the day for Cooper and trainer Dessie Hughes following the earlier success of Apache Jack found enough under pressure to score by half a length.
The pair stretched all of 12 lengths clear of Talbot Road in third.
Hughes said, “He always looked like he’d make a chaser but it’s nice to see it happen. He’s in the three-mile Grade 1 (Topaz Novice Chase) at Christmas, and more than likely that’s where he’ll go.
“Hopefully he’ll go on from that and it was a good first run over fences. The second horse had already run and we were giving him 12lb. He jumped well.”
Boylesports introduced the winner at 16/1 for the Jewson Novices’ Chase, and at 20/1 for the RSA Chase.
