More Coko
More Coko did well to finish second in the re-scheduled Dan and Joan Moore Memorial Chase at Fairyhouse last Wednesday. Keener than ideal through the early part of the race, he raced in second place behind a decent pace that habitual front-runner Touch Me Not set. He travelled well down the side of the track up and he moved up on the outside of the leader as they rounded the home turn. He moved to the front under Sean Cleary-Farrell on landing over the second last fence but, in the end, he was caught on the run-in by his stable companion Western Diego who came from mid-division.
It was still a big run by Willie Mullins' horse on just his fifth run over fences and his first run in a handicap chase. Rated 127 over hurdles after just four runs, he was racing from 4lb out of the handicap here, Sean Cleary-Farrell's 7lb claim notwithstanding, but he was still racing off a chase mark that was 1lb lower than his hurdles mark. The handicapper raised him by 8lb to a mark of 130 but, a six-year-old who has raced just five times over fences, he has the potential to improve by at least that magnitude. He under-performed in each of his three runs in beginners' chases since the summer, but this was much more like it, and he should be able to build on this now. He has form over further, and there is plenty of stamina in his pedigree, but two miles could be his optimum trip.
Fairyhouse, 14th January 2026
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