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Tom Weekes

Tom Weekes

'Icing on the cake' as Foster enjoys Navan winner

Sat 13th Mar 2021, 14:35

Coqolino and Mark WalshCoqolino and Mark Walsh
© Photo Healy Racing

Denise 'Sneezy' Foster made a first racecourse appearance since taking the helm at Gordon Elliott's Cullentra Stables at Navan today as the trainer bagged the opening Navan Members Maiden Hurdle (Div I) with the J.P. McManus owned Coqolino

Foster sent out her first Cullentra runner at Clonmel on Tuesday, gained a winner with Defi Bleu at Wexford on Wednesday and today notched her own 48th career training success with Coqolino.

Coqolino, the easy to back 8/11 (from 4/9) favourite under jockey Mark Walsh, made all and survived a dreadful final flight blunder to score a 3.75L win over El Bara.

Foster, who won't travel to Cheltenham next week due to administration issues, later reported “it's been good, it's a well oiled machine and the whole team have been so helpful.

“The staff are amazing and I know a lot of them. It will take me a while to get a handle on all the horses as there are so many.

“Everybody has been brilliant and I've felt really at home and that's put the icing on the cake. I'm delighted for all the team because they've had a very hard time and worked so hard.”

Regarding Coqolino, she added “he had a bit of a scare at the last but he did that well.

“He's a gorgeous horse and he's a chaser in the making. He probably wouldn't like fast ground so whether he has another run this season will depend on Frank (Berry) and JP.

“I'm delighted to give JP (who turned 70 on Wednesday) a birthday present.”

Quotes from Gary Carson

1st
8/11Fav
Tote €1.70 €1.02
2nd
3.75L
5/4
€1.02
3rd
18L
25/1
€3.60
4th
1.75L
16/1
About Tom Weekes
A lifelong racing fan, Tom began writing point to point reports in 2002 and has reported for irishracing.com since 2003, when he joined Irish Racing Services - since taken over by the Press Association. Has ridden a point to point winner and won the 2018 Irish Field Naps Table.