Coakley reaches 100 in style

Ross Coakley notched his 100th career winner in fine style as Maricruz ran out an impressive winner of the Emerald Facility Services Event Cleaning Apprentice Handicap at Navan.

The John McConnell-trained filly surged into the lead over a furlong-and-a-half from home and soon settled matters in the ten furlong contest.

She went on to post a comprehensive three-and-a-half length winning margin over Dance Emperor who just edged the runner-up spot from Nimitz

The winner was making her second outing of the season having finished fifth on her return to action at Naas last weekend.

“That was good — maybe too good!” said McConnell.

“She's obviously still improving. Sh'e probably going to get quite the hammering for that although it mightn't have been the greatest of races, it didn't look it when we entered.

“I'd say she'll end up hurdling, her mother was quite a good hurdler for Noel Meade — she got black-type over hurdles.

“She will go down that route at some point. She jumps really well and is like a cat to jump.

“I'm delighted with that. She had a long break before she ran last week and we weren't sure whether she'd bounce out of it but she was good and got a nice ride from Ross.”