Coqolino and Mark Walsh© Photo Healy Racing
Denise 'Sneezy' Foster made a first racecourse appearance since taking the helm at Gordon Elliott's Cullentra Stables at Navan today as the trainer bagged the opening Navan Members Maiden Hurdle (Div I) with the J.P. McManus owned Coqolino
Foster sent out her first Cullentra runner at Clonmel on Tuesday, gained a winner with Defi Bleu at Wexford on Wednesday and today notched her own 48th career training success with Coqolino.
Coqolino, the easy to back 8/11 (from 4/9) favourite under jockey Mark Walsh, made all and survived a dreadful final flight blunder to score a 3.75L win over El Bara.
Foster, who won't travel to Cheltenham next week due to administration issues, later reported “it's been good, it's a well oiled machine and the whole team have been so helpful.
“The staff are amazing and I know a lot of them. It will take me a while to get a handle on all the horses as there are so many.
“Everybody has been brilliant and I've felt really at home and that's put the icing on the cake. I'm delighted for all the team because they've had a very hard time and worked so hard.”
Regarding Coqolino, she added “he had a bit of a scare at the last but he did that well.
“He's a gorgeous horse and he's a chaser in the making. He probably wouldn't like fast ground so whether he has another run this season will depend on Frank (Berry) and JP.
“I'm delighted to give JP (who turned 70 on Wednesday) a birthday present.”
Quotes from Gary Carson
