Jockey Bryan Cooper is set for another spell on the sidelines after being ruled out for up to eight weeks after breaking his pelvis in a fall at Punchestown on Saturday.
The 24-year-old has endured some rotten luck with injuries in the second half of 2016, suffering a laceration of his liver and a partially collapsed lung after being sent crashing into the take-off board at the Galway Festival in July.
Gigginstown’s number one rider has only recently returned to action after fracturing his arm in October but continues to be afflicted by an injury curse after his latest fall on New Year’s Eve.
The Irishman was unseated by Arkwrisht in a beginners’ chase at Punchestown and Turf Club medical officer Dr Adrian McGoldrick expects him to miss between six and eight weeks with a broken pelvis.
Cooper’s latest injury was a sour note on which to end what should have been a memorable year for the jockey.
Cooper celebrated Gold Cup success with Don Cossack in March, his second win of last year’s Cheltenham Festival after guiding Empire Of Dirt to victory.
In his absence, 17-year-old Jack Kennedy will likely take over the majority of Cooper’s big rides having been in the saddle on the victorious Outlander for the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown.
Barring any setbacks in his recovery, Cooper will return in time for the 2017 Cheltenham Festival and could go head-to-head with Kennedy in the Gold Cup.
Should Don Cossack (10/1 Gold Cup Outright) prove his fitness then Cooper could take the ride on the defending champion, while Kennedy is likely to be reunited with 14/1 shot Outlander.
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Odds subject to change.
