First win for Coco Kolada

Coco Kolada (11/4f) registered a first career win at Down Royal today, landing the Pravha Handicap Hurdle for trainer Karl Thornton, jockey Donagh Meyler and the Derby Bar Syndicate.

By Affinisea and bred by that stallion's owner Ronnie O'Neill, the six-year-old had finished fourth on handicap debut behind stablemate Don't Talk on New Year's Day and today proved a well-backed winner (morning 6/1), when getting the better of Shana Cloon from the second-last.

Winning trainer Thornton said "he stayed at it well the last day and two miles or 2m4f is fine for him. I'm not sure he beat much there but it was grand.

"I entered him at Naas (on Sunday) when I was driving up the road and he is in England (Doncaster, also Sunday) as well, but we'll see what the handicapper does."

Quotes from Michael Graham