A welcome move to reignite the appeal of the jumps

It was fitting that Tom Cooper was the trainer quoted in Tuesday’s Racing Post welcoming the revelation that Horse Racing Ireland will extend the race programme initiatives that are designed to cater for the struggling majority on the jumps scene.

The Kerry-based handler’s reality is one so many skilled operators now face. He was essentially a flagbearer for small-scale trainers who thrived when given the opportunity to show the full extent of their capabilities.

From modest resources, he produced two memorable Cheltenham Festival winners in Total Enjoyment and Forpadydeplasterer, and amassed four Grade 1s with three different horses across an eight-year span.