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More Coko can prove good omen for Mullins camp

March 2025

On the eve of the Cheltenham Festival, More Coko can boost the coffers and maintain his flawless record when he travels to Plumpton on Monday for the Thank You Plumpton Members "National Hunt" Novices1 Hurdle.

It might be a portent of what is to come over the next few days, for the five-year-old is trained by Willie Mullins, was bred by his wife Jackie and will be ridden by son Patrick as he continues in his quest to ride a winner at each British track.

More Coko was a smart bumper winner last August and has made a lovely start to his hurdling career, winning both attempts by good margins earlier in the year.

He now steps up in trip, a move which his pedigree suggests will be no trouble,and is of obvious interest on his British foray.

At Stratford, who can expect a good pre-Festival crowd, Mel Rowley's Analiese can take the next step in the Dragonbet Oncourse And Online Juvenile Hurdle.

The four-year-old filly is clearly held in some regard as she made her debut at Listed level at Doncaster in January - and although she was well beaten, it is indicative of the faith connections have in her.

She headed to Hereford for her next start in February, this time for a fillies' maiden event over 3200m against 10 rivals.

There she showed plenty of promise on only her second experience of a racecourse, winning by an easy 6 lengths despite a final-flight error that reduced that margin somewhat.

She ran as though a step up in trip would suit her, and that is exactly what she will get at Stratford as the contest is run over an extended 3700m.

At Taunton, it is Harry Fry's High Fibre who looks set to prevail in theDragonBet - Oncourse And Online Maiden Hurdle.

The six-year-old had an extensive Flat career with Ralph Beckett and then Fry, after which he switched to hurdling, making a solid start when third on debut at Wincanton in October.

He then contested a course and distance event in early January, coming home the runner-up despite a stumble on the landing side of the final hurdle.

His next start resulted in a remote third place in a Kempton maiden, but back at Taunton and with a good deal more experience than some rivals, he can put that behind him.

On the Flat at Newcastle, there will be plenty of interest in Commanding Prince in the BetMGM: It's Showtime Novice Stakes run over 1600m.

Archie Watson's four-year-old is a son of Too Darn Hot and is out of a Group Two winner called Khawlah, the dam of Derby winner Masar.

On his debut last month, the gelding was beaten a head into second by TomClover's Surrey Shadow in a green run from which there should be plenty of experience gained. - Press Association

TAB is betting on 4 UK meetings on Monday. Here are the tips.

STRATFORD: Race 1: 15.50 Analiese, Race 2: 16.20 I Shut That d'Or, Race 3: 16.50 Seasmoke, Race 4: 17.20 Hara Kiri, Race 5: 17.50 Non Stop, Race 6: 18.20 Sandscape, Race 7: 18.50 Viroflay.

TAUNTON: Race 1: 16.05 Red N Yellow, Race 2: 16.40 High Fibre, Race 3: 17.10 Renoir, Race 4: 17.40 Bells Of Peterboro, Race 5: 18.10 Faded Fantasy, Race 6: 18.40 Fast Buck, Race 7: 19.10 Kintaro.

PLUMPTON: Race 1: 16.30 MORE COKO (NAP), Race 2: 17.00 Pescatorius, Race 3: 17.30 Character Testing, Race 4: 18.00 Despereaux, Race 5: 18.30 Havaila, Race 6: 19.00 Lumi Plugin.

NEWCASTLE: Race 1: 19.30 Bella Bluesky, Race 2: 20.00 Cammy, Race 3: 20.30 Elettaria, Race 4: 21.00 Commanding Prince, Race 5: 21.30 No Release, Race 6: 22.00 Blackcurrent, Race 7: 22.30 Rockley Point.

ALL TO COME: More Coko (Plumpton, Race 1) and Commanding Prince (Newcastle, Race 4).

 

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