Michael O'Leary's Gigginstown Stud team are reshuffling their jockey arrangements for Thursday and Friday after Bryan Cooper broke his leg in a crashing fall today.
Brian O'Connell, who rode Last Instalment to Hennessy success last month, is set to ride Rule The World in today's Ladbrokes World Hurdle while David Casey is on board Rathlin in the Ryanair Chase.
Casey is already booked to ride First Lieutenant in Friday's Gold Cup and O'Connell looks a natural fit for Last Instalment should that horse get the green light to run on ground that was watered tonight.
Cooper broke his tibia and fibula in a horrific fall from the Gigginstown owned Clarcam at the second-last flight in the Fred Winter Hurdle. “He’s broken two bones in one of his legs,” O’Leary’s brother Eddie confirmed.
Gigginstown racing manager added: “He’s broken his tibia and fibula. He’s had quite a bad break and is having surgery this evening, hopefully. It’s the same leg he broke last year, but it’s lower down this time.”
Turf Club medical officer Dr Adrian McGoldrick predicted Cooper will be on the injury sidelines for up to six months.
