Coko Beach

Coko Beach ran well for a long way in the Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park last Thursday. Prominent from early along the inside, he jumped to the front over the seventh last fence, and he travelled and jumped well in front for Davy Russell, until he was joined by Longhouse Poet and Mister Fogpatches at the top of the home straight on the run to the third last fence. He was still only about a length behind the ultimate winner at the second last fence, but he made a tired mistake at that obstacle and he faded from there, eventually finishing sixth, almost 20 lengths behind the winner.

Gordon Elliott’s horse ran better than the bare form of the run suggests. And he did well to last in front for as long as he did, given that he raced prominently in a race in which they went fast from early. The handicapper dropped him by just 1lb for this, which still leaves him on a mark of 146, 8lb higher than the mark off which he won the Thyestes last year, but that mark is more than workable on this evidence, and he is still only seven. He holds an entry in the Grand National Trial at Punchestown next Sunday, and he will be of interest if he lines up in that. The step up to three and a half miles could suit him well.
Gowran Park, 27^th January 2022