Ton up for Kennedy as Coko Beach adapts well to new discipline

The SBK P.P. Hogan Memorial Cross Country Steeplechase went to the 11/8 favourite Coko Beach who provided Jack Kennedy with his one hundredth winner of the campaign, the first time he has achieved that feat.

The title contender, now nine ahead of rival Paul Townend, had a smooth run around on the classy handicapper. Always prominent, the Gordon Elliott-trained grey went on after five out and was pushed out after the last to beat Genois by six lengths. 

Coko Beach seemed to enjoy himself on his first run in this discipline but the same certainly couldn't be said of market rival Stattler who was all at sea over the banks and struggled throughout before plugging on for a never-dangerous fourth.

A delighted Kennedy said: “That’s probably as much fun as I’ve ever had on a racehorse to be honest.

“He loved it and is a natural. I was excited when I saw him entered in it.

“Gordon has brought him to a local cross country track for about a year to sweeten him up a bit. He’s won some good pots in that time.

“He loved it and was looking for the next one all the time. I’m not sure who enjoyed it more, me or him!

“I won on Delta Work here before and have a one hundred per cent record on the cross country track.

“He’s obviously a high-class horse and it opens up more doors for him.

“I was stuck on 99 for a while and delighted to get it done.”

Paddy Power cut the winner to 3/1 (from 5s) non-runner no-bet for the Cross-Country Chase at Cheltenham with stablemate Conflated heading the market at 2/1.

Quotes from Alan Magee