Coko Beach

There was a lot to like about the performance that Coko Beach put up in finishing second in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners’ Chase at Galway on Sunday on his chasing bow. Weak in the market beforehand, he was prominent from early. He got in a little tight to the first fence but, after that, his jumping was very good.

Gordon Elliott’s horse led and disputed with Forza Milan early on, and the pair of them established a fair break to the rest of the field after favourite Diol Ker came down at the third last fence on the first circuit, until Coko Beach moved into a clear lead as they raced up past the stands with a circuit to go. He travelled and jumped well down the back straight and, even when Pencilfulloflead challenged him as they jumped the last two fences, it still appeared as if he was travelling better than his stable companion as they raced around the home turn. He just gave best to that rival inside the final 150 yards, but he ran all the way to the line, going down by just three parts of a length and the pair of them nicely clear of another stable companion in Braeside.

Pencilfulloflead won well, but it was also a really nice run by Coko Beach to chase him home. The Gigginstown House horse was a good hurdler, he finished second to Band Of Outlaws in the Fred Winter Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in 2019, and he was still there with a chance in the Coral Cup in 2020 when he was badly hampered at the second last flight. This beginners’ chase can be a really good pointer to the future, it has been won by Don Cossack, Presenting Percy, Lyreen Legend, Last Instalment and Battleoverdoyen in the past, and Coko Beach should be winning his beginners’ chase soon before stepping up in grade. He could progress to take a high rank among the staying novice chasers this season.

Galway, 25^th October 2020, © Sportinglife.com sportinglife.com, 26th October 2020