Mickey Cohen makes the breakthrough on chasing debut A maiden under all codes prior to today, the Noel Meade trained Mickey Cohen made an immediate impact on his first start over fences when easily winning the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase at Downpatrick. Sent off a well backed 9/4f (from 6/1), the son of U S Navy Flag, was always to the fore under Donagh Meyler. Going second after three out, the four-year-old came through to head leader Sea Of Doubt between the final two fences. Keeping on strongly up the fill, Mickey Cohen only had to be pushed out to hold the staying on Figurehead by five-and-a-half lengths. Donagh Meyler said: "Very good everywhere, maybe a bit sticky over the last. "I suppose it is his first time being in front like that. He operated well and stayed at it really well. "I suppose he was coming back a couple of furlongs and I knew that he would stay, so he certainly did that today. "He settled away nice, there was plenty of pace on so I just got into a lovely rhythm throughout and it was pretty plain sailing. I think his chasing mark could be a little bit higher than his hurdling mark, he jumps well and he is starting to learn how to race. We'll take it step by step, but hopefully he can go on from that." Additional reporting by Michael Graham.
