BRYAN Cooper was back in the winner's enclosure after a Gigginstown House Stud-owned winner at Clonmel on Thursday.

It was the jockey's first win for the owner since he lost his position as Gigginstown's retained rider in July. In the meantime Cooper has only ridden on selected racedays and last week revealed he is exploring some opportunities in England.

At Clonmel today Cooper was Arvico Bleu who predictably proved too strong for his rivals in the Kilmore Maiden Hurdle.

Henry de Bromhead's charge kept good company last season so it was no surprise that he was sent off the 4/9 favourite and after taking it up two out, ran on well to beat Settimo Milanese by two lengths, despite Cooper's saddle slipping back.

Cooper said: "It was a good call by Henry for keeping him a novice for this year as he is massive and will probably get better. He liked the ground and will improve for it.

"He had rock-solid form but was competing against seasoned summer horses here so I was just a bit worried about fitness, but Henry had him spot on. He is a real chaser."

GOOD TIMING

Ruby Walsh produced Small World with a perfectly-timed challenge to claim top honours in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Handicap Hurdle.

Peter Fahey's 9/4 favourite had plenty on his plate towards the rear but began to make headway on the run to the second-last, although he still had three in front of him.

Let's Twist Again appeared to have the measure of Walker's Point and Vinnie Luck and jumped the final flight in the lead, but Small World was now hot on his heels and found that little bit more to prevail by half a length.

Fahey said: "He was a little bit unlucky the last day when Ronan (Short) rode him but gave him a good ride as well but, in fairness, Ruby gave him some ride. It was a serious ride.

"They probably didn't go quick enough and he looked like he was flat out across the top when they were quickening away down the hill. I thought we were beaten but, in fairness, he stayed battling away."

Four jumped the second-last almost as one in the Laganore Maiden Hurdle, although a mistake put paid to the chance of favourite Diego Manchego.

Motcomb Street looked the likely winner when forging clear, but Brian Hayes conjured another rally out of the Mick Winters-trained Doldido (7/1), who got up by a half a length.

Winters said: "He had a great run last year at Mallow but when he came back a month ago his bloods weren't right. He's well bred and while he might find it tough going up in grade, there'll be fun to be had out of him.

"His mother (Dromhale Lady) was a good, tough mare and had stamina. Unfortunately she died and he was actually raised by a piebald mare."

CHASING WIN

A Sizing Network finally broke his duck over fences in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Captain Christy Rated Novice Chase.

The Jessica Harrington-trained seven-year-old was having his 16th start in this sphere but has picked up his share of minor money, most recently when second at Navan last weekend.

Robbie Power was happy to make his own running on the 2-1 favourite and when Sir Abbot emerged as the chief threat, A Sizing Network found plenty and a bold leap at the last helped seal a two-and-three-quarter-length success.

Harrington said: "He's been very consistent but I thought he'd never win, and it's only five days after his last run.

"He has always been a super jumper and has just got confidence now and ran his best race the last day at Navan.

"He's a gorgeous looking horse and while he is an eight-year-old, he is actually getting stronger."

Power said, "He's a joy to ride. He's a gorgeous looking horse but he's a fantastic jumper as well. Every time he sees a fence, he pricks his ears.

"Jessie has done a great job with him as his confidence is getting better with every run. He had some problems but we have sorted them out, and hopefully he'll get more confidence from that."

BACK TO FORM

Prince Garyantle bounced back to form with a ruthless victory in the Thorney Bridge Novice Handicap Hurdle.

Matthew Smith's charge was well beaten over three miles at Limerick and Bellewstown but does have stamina for that trip so was ridden prominently over half a mile shorter.

He went clear with Ned's Island from some way out but was clearly travelling the best and strode further and further clear in the straight, eventually passing the post 23 lengths to the good over the staying-on Chance It.

Smith said of the 10/1 winner: "I wasn't expecting him to win by that far and I was a little worried about the ground. I didn't think the ground would be a problem but we haven't ran him on that ground before. It seemed not a bother to him, though.

"We'll try and pick out another race next, but will leave fences to next year."

Jockey Andrew Lynch said: "He's hacked up. He likes to get on with it and I didn't want to disappoint him. He won over three miles before and we said we'd make plenty of use of him."

Billy De Kid (10/1) showed tremendous resolution after looking likely to be nailed by Fiddlers Bow in the Tickincor Handicap Chase, responding well to Kevin Brouder to get the verdict by a head.

READ THE FULL CLONMEL REPORT IN THE IRISH FIELD THIS WEEKEND