Brian Cooper and Gigginstown

The horrific injury he had last year surely has to excuse the disappointing season he has had this year. I thought he was riding OK before cheltenham but the faster tempo and the need to make quicker decisions highlighted his lack of confidence. The interview with Piggott was no surprise consdiering the lack of confidence he has shown in the saddle last few months and was just a reflection in his interview style. The fact he had picked the wrong horse on a couple of occasions probably added to this.

It was bad form of Elliot to criticise his ride at cheltenham. He was a jockey himself and aware of the effects a fall and injury like that can have on a jockey. They are all part of the one operation and any criticisms should have been made in private.

You can't just pick out a couple of bad rides and say that he was riding badly all year. He gave plenty of horses good rides during the winter also - dedigout on thyestes day, road to riches in the lexus was a brilliant ride etc.

His job probably isn't secure unfortunately but it should be. When they gave him the job, I presume one of the reasons he was chosen is because of his youth and the fact that he could be in the job for 15, 20 years god willing. He should be given 5 years at least.

I have no doubt he will come back to be as good as ever, he just needs his employers to show the same sort of faith in him and he should be OK.

I did not hear the Elliott interview but if he criticised him publicly he should be ashamed of himself. Cooper is young and has to be given a chance. There is no substitute for experience and its ridiculous at this stage to expect him to measure up to the APs BGs and RWs in that regard. With so many horses in different stables it can be very difficult to pick the best one in a race. I have never been a big supporter of owner jockeys and with Giggi having many good horses capable of competing at grade one level I believe they would be much better off using stable jockeys. However for his age and experience I reckon BC is fine.

Being blamed for not being

Big fan of Coops, will be one of the best in the biz and a jock i picked out from early doors.

Maybe to the naked eye not to the trained one.

I think it was more a case of Geraghy's enthusiasm waning for a while after the Moscow / KK glory days Callit. He has admitted as much himself in the past. He got the mojo back in time for the Spring Festivals in '08. I think the ride where he almost stole a Grade 1 on Punjabi cemented the link with Nicky.

There's no doubt that Cooper looked an immense talent prior to this season. He had probably surpassed Townend as a chase rider. However, if he doesn't get back to where he was then Giggy may be throwing him the parachute. As evidenced previously, they aren't a very sentimental bunch. Eddie wouldn't be long throwing him under the bus particularly if he had back-up from the trainers.

Not sure I agree with that, TTK.

I don't know what went on with Davy Russell, but in Coopers case I think they would be more likely to put their hands around his young shoulders and help him through this spell.  They are sound men and will give him time.

In the right situation, I would be confident that they can and will be plenty forgiving.  Let's hope he responds.

Kindly keep such private and personal information private...don't be advertising for lads to PM you to 'hear all about it!'

FFS....You are worse than a washer woman!!

Poor Ozy , really hurting by my reference to , Gossips ....

My sympathy is always with the jockey.

This poor fellow got a shocking injury in Cheltenham,he almost lost his leg.
He is not the same since,there is a nervousness that is getting transferred down the reins,this has been exacerbated by the dreadful injuries suffered by his pal Robbie McNamara.

Its possible he will get his old self back but unlikely.
Its also why I think they are underpaid.

3 winners from last his 70 rides is a shocking return with the horses he's riding.

Anyone that thinks he is currently riding ok or just below par isn't watching the racing.

Anyone that believes in any professional sport that you should be allowed leeway of 5 years isn't living in the real world.

Bryan Cooper seems a very decent skin and is more intelligent than the average jockey which is probably another reason for his nervousness.

No one is doubting how good he was or criticising him from a personal point of view but it's as clear as day what's going on.

When you appoint a young athlete to any sporting position, It is assumed that there will be mistakes @ the beginning and lessons learned quickly as a result. 5 years is not unreasonable for any 21 year old going into such a position. No employer worth their salt would sack such a talented young athlete just because they are going through a rocky few months. Gigginstown are a shrewd operation, they let an excellent jockey go in Russell because they recognised the youth and talent of Cooper and what an asset that would be in the future. They should not be so foolish to sack him just because he is going through a couple of months of poor form. They also know bar townend, there is no jockey around that is anywhere near as good as he is at his best.

The two rides you mention at punchestown were indeed very poor. But there were a lot of good rides given throughout the winter right up until Cheltenham. All the good novice hurdlers and chasers were brought to the cotswolds having won throughout the winter and were at the heads of the markets. Cheltenham and Punchestown were indeed disasterous,but he deserves a chance to regain his confidence and show what a good rider he is.

3 winners from last his 70 rides is a shocking return with the horses he's riding.

Anyone that thinks he is currently riding ok or just below par isn't watching the racing.


How many winners you think he should have had? I cant see many mounts that should have won. More than his fair share of dogs too like Rocky Wednesday and Fort Smith.....Don Poli ran stink but cant see how jockey can be blamed for that. Rest simply werent good enough.....Tiger Roll, Lieutenant Colonel needs a bog, Savello etc...

Elliot is a gob5hite who is only too happy to blame jocks....has criticised Andrew Lynch before and Nico de Boinvill at Chelts previews. He is a massively over rated trainer. Mullins comments didnt even hint at criticism of the jock, just that the reason for the poor run wasn't yet known.

Simple truth is whoever is advising Gigginstown on their purchases is no Harold Kirk thats for sure

Cooper isn't that well liked by his peers and that makes life more difficult than it should be for him.

I was surprised at Elliott also callit and  think he is an excellent trainer but I don't think you can put it down to heat of the moment, he made the criticism after thunder zone won at cork a week later. Agree with everything you said as regards him as a trainer though.

Cooper still riding devoid of any confidence even in the lower leagues of summer jumping, can only win on steering jobs (sometimes).

Terrible decision by Gigginstown to replace Russell with him. Bottle is gone,too many injuries to himself and close pals.

He was completely outridden on Disputed by Jack Kennedy last week, nailed by a short head and also by Bryan Hayes (ffs) to somehow get Cecil Corbett (bit quirky) beaten. Top jockeys will get these home and should make the difference rather than being a liability.

22nd June -Disputed beaten a sh (matched 1.03 IR). Absolutely 100% outridden by crack claimer

20th June - Cooper goes for a run up the inside,loses lengths and failes to get the frustrating Vercintorix home

20th June - Cecil Cprbett best horse in the race by at least 7lbs, Cooper goes for home early and somehow gets it beat. Completely outridden by Bryan Hayes. (1.03 IR)

19th June - Devils Bride,another howler by Cooper (1.04 IR)

17TH June - Tempo Mac (1.32 IR) Left too much to do on well handicapped horse

6th June - Is love alive only needed to get over the last but Cooper riding with no confidence (1.18 IR)

The game changer crucial mistake at the last,here's a horse where the disparity between Russell and Cooper should be perspicuous to all. Have a look at this lads fluent jumping under Russell at Punchestown and compare it to its two subsequent runs under Cooper.

Davy Mullins and Jack Kennedy still a bit young or inexperienced for the retainer yet surely for all they're both immensely capable.

Cooper's probably fortunate in a way as there isn't many top jockeys available and Townend will surely hold out at this stage.

I get the distinct impression that WPM is very doubtful about Cooper.I wonder could a scenario arise where Ruby rides the WPM Giggy horses but this would completely undermine Cooper.

He still has every chance of turning it around as will be on the best horses in plenty of races, he seems a likeable chap and more intelligent than your average jockey but it doesn't make pretty viewing currently.

Dessie passing away, horror fall, lots of stuff to deal with, he's only a chap..... in a results based business it's hard to give him time, but i'm sure he'll be fine.