NH Chase the plan for Coko Beach after grey makes a big splash in Thyestes

Coko Beach was the youngest horse in the field, the sole six-year-old to turn up, but he showed no respect for his elders whatsoever as he tore apart what is traditionally one of the toughest handicaps of the entire season.

The last six-year-old to win the Thyestes was Djakadam in 2015 and he went on to chase home Coneygree in the Cheltenham Gold Cup two months later.

Gordon Elliott is not setting his sights quite so high for his grey, but suggested the National Hunt Chase would be on Coko Beach's agenda now, and Paddy Power have chopped him into 14-1 from 33-1 for it. Ladbrokes go 16-1.

Elliott said: "The blinkers definitely sharpened him up. He jumped brilliant and Jack [Kennedy] gave him a great ride. You would imagine the National Hunt Chase might suit him so we'll have a look at that now."

This emphatic victory, off a mark of 138, was another indication that Envoi Allen might just be the real deal. Coko Beach, you might remember, could only get within 16 and a half lengths of him in the Drinmore back in November.

Elliott had only won the Thyestes once before, with Monbeg Notorious in 2018, and Run Wild Fred made his second success all the more sweeter by completing the forecast for him. It was sweet for Jack Kennedy too.

Click here to watch the Thyestes replay

Splendid isolation: Coko Beach is clear of his rivals at the final fenceCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

It sometimes slips your mind that Jack Kennedy is still only 21. The biggest compliment you could pay him here is that you barely knew he was there. Like a top referee in a football match, you didn't notice him at all. He let his horse do the talking and didn't interfere. He was always in the right place at the right time and every decision he made looked a straightforward one.

Kennedy, of course, rerouted any praise to Coko Beach, saying: "It was very easy. He jumped and travelled unbelievably well. I just couldn't believe how well I was going after jumping the third-last. He got the job done very well."

The winning rider added: "He jumps very well, so that was always going to be a massive help going into his first handicap in a race like this. If they can jump well, it's half the battle. He's been struggling to get his head in front over fences, but the blinkers made a massive difference to him today.

"It was a brilliant performance and Gordon was fairly hopeful he'd run a big race, so he gave me a little push to go with him and I'm delighted I listened."

And a second Thyestes for someone so young? "It means a lot. It's a big race. A very big race. One of the biggest handicaps of the whole year and it's great to win it again."

Class Conti fared best of the Willie Mullins-trained five as the champion trainer was unable to win the race for a ninth time and a third on the trot. For this was Coko Beach's day, and Kennedy is convinced it will not be the last you will hear of the improving youngster.

He added: "The Thyestes was Monbeg Notorious's big day, but I'd be fairly hopeful this lad could go on and win a couple more nice pots."

A six-year-old wins the Thyestes with a 21-year-old on his back. I thought you weren't supposed to win anything with kids?

Results, replays and analysis

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