Coko Beach and Jack Kennedy© Photo Healy Racing
Coko Beach lost his maiden tag at the fifth time of asking over fences, and with first time blinkers on the grey picked an opportune time to do so in the Grade A Goffs Thyestes Handicap Chase at Gowran. Run Wild Fred (got the last two wrong) completed a one two for winning owner and trainer, Gigginstown House Stud and Gordon Elliott, as connections kept up what has been a lucrative association with this staying highlight.
Siegemaster and Monbeg Notorious have triumphed here in recent years for Gigginstown. Elliott and winning jockey Jack Kennedy of course shared in the 2018 win of Monbeg Notorious.
Soon to the fore, the sweet travelling Coko Beach took over three out and it was difficult to see any other outcome than the one that transpired. Four lengths eventually separated the 8/1 scorer and Run Wild Fred.
Last year’s second Class Conti was third this time, a length and a half back. His trainer Willie Mullins also supplied the fourth and fifth, Saturnas and Acapella Bourgeois (sixth a year ago).
Acapella Bourgeois’ fellow 7/1 market-leader, Ten Ten was pulled up in the straight.
For the National Hunt Chase Paddy Power go 14/1 from 33/1 non runner no bet about Coko Beach. For the Festival Novices Chase it’s 20/1 from 40/1 on the same horse with the same firm.
Kennedy said: “He’s been struggling to win a beginners’ chase. Gordon asked me the other morning what I’d like to ride in it and I was thinking Farclas but he didn’t show up here. Gordon fancied this lad and I went with what he said and thank God he was right.
“I got left at the start but he winged the first and was able to travel well enough to get me into a position. I was handy the whole way and on that ground you are not going to get too many coming from behind.
“The blinkers sharpened him up an awful lot and he travelled a lot better than he has been.
“We went a good gallop down to the first and steadied up after that. Normally in this race it’s an end to end gallop but we went a nice sensible gallop today.
"It was very easy and he jumped and travelled unbelievably well. I couldn't believe how well I was going after jumping the third last and he did it very well.
"He jumps very well so that is a massive help going in to your first handicap; if they can jump well it's half the battle.
"He has been struggling to get off the mark over fences and the blinkers made a massive difference today.
"It's a big race and one of the biggest handicaps of the year so it's great to win it."
Meanwhile Ian ‘Busty’ Amond, assistant to absent trainer Elliott, commented: “Gordon was busy enough as they are working a lot of the horses for next week at home.
“Gordon was sweet enough on him (Coko Beach) and Jack picked him. The blinkers obviously did the trick — he jumped great and travelled great and he was the winner from a long way out.
“I’d imagine he will be on the team for Cheltenham after that and I think the National Hunt Chase is the one Gordon has in mind. He’ll have a few easy days after this and we might have a look at the Irish National as well.
“Sean (Flanagan) was delighted with Run Wild Fred. He was never going to get to your man in front but he kept at it well. There should be a big day in him as well.”
The Stewards interviewed S.W. Flanagan, rider of Run Wild Fred, concerning his use of the whip in the latter stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards were of the opinion that S.W. Flanagan was in breach of R10(3)(f) by using his whip with excessive force and R10(3)(g) by using his whip with excessive frequency. Having taken his previous record into consideration, the Stewards suspended S.W. Flanagan for 4 racedays.
(TW & EM)
