Minimal opposition for Min at Gowran

MIN faces just two opponents on his longawaited return to action in the feature event at Gowran Park today. The Willie Mullins-trained six-year-old split the brilliant Altior and subsequent Champion Hurdle hero Buveur D’Air when runner-up in the 2016 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham and was hugely impressive on his first two starts over fences last season. He has been sidelined by injury since sauntering to success in a Grade One event at Leopardstown last Christmas, but is sure to be a warm order on his competitive comeback in the twoand-a-half-mile Ladbrokes Bet 10 & Get 40 On The Grid Chase. Patrick Mullins told At The Races: ‘It will be fantastic to get him back. He’s only been beaten once for us and that was by Altior, and he had Buveur D’Air behind him. ‘He’s hugely exciting. Dick Dowling, our head lad, looks after him and rides him out and he’s very happy with him. ‘It would look a nice starting point. It is two and a half miles in heavy ground, but he would look well-in on ratings.’ Min, ridden by Paul Townend for the first time, is taken on by Gordon Elliott’s Flaxen Flare and Uncle Danny from John Queally’s yard. Meanwhile, Bryan Cooper (below) flew back for precautionary X-rays on his shoulder blade after a fall at Ascot yesterday. The leading Irish rider was on the Colin Tizzardtrained 5-4 favourite Sizing Tennessee in the first race when he was unseated at the second fence. Cooper gave up his one remaining ride on Bally Longford, but was hopeful the injury was not serious. ‘He’s catching a flight back to Dublin and he’s going to Connolly Hospital for X-rays on his shoulder blade,’ said Dr Adrian McGoldrick, the Turf Club’s senior medical officer. Cooper is due to return to ride at Ascot today.