Coill Avon so good on handicap bow On his handicap debut three-year-old Coill Avon gave older rivals a lesson in race two at Naas. The Kingman gelding shrugged aside a 241 day absence from action in the Naas Racecourse Business Club Handicap, with Colin Keane up for his boss Ger Lyons. A 100/30 second favourite (backed in from 9/2 on the show) Coill Avon chased the leaders, and he improved to dispute the lead two furlongs out. Soon pushed along the Glenburnie runner led a furlong out, staying on strongly to go clear inside the final furlong, comfortably accounting for Shabaaby by two and a quarter lengths. Lyons’ brother Shane said: “That was a fair performance for a three-year-old against older horses this time of year. “We were worried about the ground but Brendan Sheridan (Clerk of the Course) and the staff here have done a great job. They have put plenty of water on it and it’s a credit to them. “We gelded him from two to three and he has mentally matured. We’ll get him home and see what the handicapper does. “He’s been working well at home and it’s grand that he brings it to the track.” R.P. Whelan, rider of Arcanears trained by M.Halford, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount leaned left when under pressure. S. Foley, rider of Mokhalad (GB) trained by John C. McConnell, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount never let himself down on the ground. N.M. Crosse, rider of Kuwait Direction trained by James McAuley, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount fly leaped from stalls and was slowly away. (AM & EM)
