Coen brothers dominate Kone Handicap

Brothers Ben and Jake Coen appropriately completed a 1-2 in Galway's Kone Handicap today, with the former winning on San Aer (8/1), one of three Tom Mullins-trained runners in the 17-runner race.

San Aer raced mid-pack, with Ben Coen (20) going in pursuit of younger sibling Jake Coen (18) on leader Excuzio Joe with a furlong to race. San Aer eventually led close home and scored by a half-length.

Mullins trains the Jim Bolger-bred son of Vocalised for his wife Helen Mullins and said “he was unlucky at the festival in 2021 when he got no luck in running and didn't win until he got heavy ground at Killarney last October. After that I bought him back for £4,000 at Doncaster sales.”

He added “Ben liked him the few times he had ridden him and was disappointed he hadn't won on him up until now. There's a 1m2f handicap at Naas on Sunday and we'll see how he is.”

Regarding his unplaced runners, the Galway Plate winner added “Morning Soldier will go over hurdles now and Dazzling Spirit who has won three this year, is finished for the year.”

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