Cooper takes up riding role for English owner

TRALEE jockey Bryan Cooper is to be the first-choice rider for owner Alan Potts’ horses in Britain where he starts with two rides at Ludlow today (Wednesday) and at Chepstow on Saturday when he will partner exciting prospect Finian’s Oscar for trainer Colin Tizzard.

The 2015 Gold Cup-winning jockey lost his job as retained rider for Gigginstown House Stud in July when Michael O’Leary announced there would no longer be a number one rider at Gigginstown, opting instead for a ‘whoever is available’ policy.

In an ironic twist Copper rode a Gigginstown winner the day before his UK appointment when striking at Galway yesterday (Tuesday) aboard 14/1 shot Calino D’airy in the 4:35 for trainer Henry de Bromhead.

Cooper recently rode a double for his father when the Tom Cooper trained Crocodile Dundee won at Tipperary earlier this month, which follows on from the horse’s win at Listowel in September.

Potts owns 2016 Gold Cup winner Sizing John but it is understood jockey Robbie Power – who had been travelling to Britain to ride Potts’ horses – will retain the partnership with the horse.