Cooper out due to injury

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Bryan Cooper is out for the next while having fractured his pelvis following a fall in the first race at Punchestown yesterday. A lovely New Year's present for him.

Bryan CooperPhotos Bryan Cooper is set for another lengthy injury lay-off after suffering a fractured pelvis following a spill in the first race at Punchestown on Saturday.

The rider, who enjoyed Grade One success in his role as number one rider for Gigginstown House Stud with Petit Mouchoir at Leopardstown on Thursday, was unseated after Arkwrisht made a bad mistake five out in a beginners' chase.

Cooper was initially sent for a precautionary X-ray, but it was felt following that by Dr Paddy Kenny a scan at Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown would be beneficial, and it was thought that would take place today or on Monday.

However, Turf Club medical officer Dr Adrian McGoldrick said last night: "Unfortunately a CT scan has confirmed Bryan has a fractured pelvis. He will be out for six to eight weeks.

"It is a such a rare injury, but the horse came right down on his pelvis."

Cooper has been plagued by injury in recent seasons and only recently returned to action having fractured an arm in October.

In addition to Petit Mouchoir in the Ryanair Hurdle, he enjoyed a further top-level victory in the Gigginstown colours over the last few weeks when Apple's Jade struck in the Hatton's Grace Hurdle at Punchestown, beating Vroum Vroum Mag.

He also scored for Gigginstown on the promising Death Duty in the Grade Two Navan Novice Hurdle.

http://www.irishracing.com/news?headline=Cooper-suffers-fractured-pelvis&prid=180117

Zarkandar

Guy just has no luck with injuries. It may be harsh but I'd say Gigginstown are keeping an eye out for a replacement, can't have your no.1 on sidelines so frequently. Jack Kennedy still too young and inexperienced imo.

Lt Dan

Zarkandar wrote: »

Guy just has no luck with injuries. It may be harsh but I'd say Gigginstown are keeping an eye out for a replacement, can't have your no.1 on sidelines so frequently. Jack Kennedy still too young and inexperienced imo.

I know Davy has another retainer, and actually seems to do well when he goes over to Britain , like the weekend, but lord, one would need their heads checked if they (Gigginstown) did not try to book Davy for Cheltenham. After all, two years ago Davy helped Gigginstown to two big ones and won for them again last year.

My god, it is one thing to get injuries on a regular basis and miss or risk missing Cheltenham or most of it for three years straight, it is another when you look at the kind of injuries he has got. He is what? 23-24 years old? Two years ago he nearly got his leg smashed so badly that he is lucky to still be walking; then he got a collapsed lung and lacerated liver last year, missed this October with a break in the hand, now the pelvis. Also, during the Christmas Ted Walsh pointed out (when Patrick Mullins horse fell in the hurdle race) Cooper was close in getting his leg smashed had Mullins horse collided with Cooper's horse.

Might be no harm if Elliot / Gigginstown send a horse or two to Cheltenham for Kennedy to get use to the course during one of those trial races in January . He may well be needed and thrown into the deep end (of course Cooper expects to be back well before then)

How valuable would a man like Dessie Hughes would be for Cooper who get some wise council from in times like this