28th-Jan-2021

Coko Beach is a horse who has been on my radar for a little while now.  Second in the Fred Winter Hurdle at Cheltenham in 2019, he ran better than his finishing position suggests in the Coral Cup at last year’s Cheltenham Festival, when he was travelling well before he was badly hampered at the second last flight.

His first run over fences was very good too, in a good beginners’ chase at Galway, when he was only just beaten by Pencilfulloflead, who beat Latest Exhibition in the Grade 2 Florida Pearl Chase next time.

He hasn’t won in three attempts since, but there have been excuses.  He was no match for Envoi Allen in the Drinmore Chase, he got into an early battle for the lead with Lord Royal at Naas next time, and the two-mile-five-furlong trip just seemed to be on the sharp side for him last time at Fairyhouse, when he wasn’t beaten far by Forza Milan.

The net result is that he is now rated 138 over fences, a mark that is 3lb lower than his hurdles mark.  But he shapes as if he will be at least as good over fences as he is over hurdles, and he should be better.  He has the potential to go well beyond today’s mark.

I had the Ultima Chase at Cheltenham in mind for him, I thought that that would be his race, but the Thyestes should suit him well too, instead or as well.  The step up to three miles should suit him, as should the soft ground, and the fact that Jack Kennedy has chosen to ride him is an obvious plus.

COKO BEACH WON (SP 8/1)