Coko Beach appears to have booked a return to Aintree after leading home a Gordon Elliott one-two-three in the QuinnBet Grand National Trial Handicap Chase at Punchestown.
Fourth at Death Duty 12 months ago, the eight-year-old finished a well-held eighth behind Noble Yeats in the Randox Grand National two rounds later and could now follow a similar path after finding the scoresheet for the first time. since February 2021.
The classy gray arrived on the Kildare track following a respectable fourth in the Thyestes at Gowran last month and was sent off the shortest of Cullentra House’s four reps at 7/1.
Never far off the pace in the hands of Ben Harvey, he blasted his way forward traveling with plenty of spirit at four outings.
Sam Curling’s 15/8 favorite Angels Dawn was also menacingly heading into the competition and looking a real threat as he moved to the Coko Beach tail three.
However, the race quickly ended as a contest when Angels Dawn disarmed Cian Quirke at penultimate and all Blindered Coko Beach had to do was burn the retreating Stones And Roses and take d storming the straight for a five and five commander. -a half-length success over the reigning champion Death Duty, with Defi Bleu the bronze medalist another half-length behind.
Paddy Power and Betfair both scored 33/1 from 66 for the Grand National on April 15, and Elliott confirmed Aintree was on the agenda.
He said: “We said we would ride it a bit more soberly today, just let’s take our time a bit more because we’ve been using it a lot lately.
“I think he had a good race, he jumped well and he said coming in front he didn’t do a blow. He had a big jump at the last one and it’s good to have him. earn.
“I imagine he will go to Aintree, there is not much in Cheltenham for him. I imagine they will all go to the National, English and Irish Championships.
“The winner runs his race all the time and is a great horse. He finished eighth in the National last year and was there until second to last.
“Death Duty ran well, he said he would only have been good for missing fourth and penultimate. He’s a good horse but he’s not easy to train.”
Sky Sports
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