Coco collects back on the level Cinammon Coco wore down front-runner El Galvino to make a winning return to the Flat at Dundalk today. Joseph O’Brien’s charge tracked the leaders in the mile-and-a-half event before being asked to take closer order passing the two pole. The 6/4 favourite got to the front inside the final furlong and kept on well to post a half-length success under Declan McDonogh. Grade 1 winning hurdler Ballyadam finished two-and-a-quarter lengths back in third. Cinammon Coco was a winner over hurdles at Down Royal in late August. He had been placed twice on the Flat back in May. McDonogh said: "It was straightforward, I had a nice seam around in behind Billy (Lee, Ballyadam) and we sort of hack cantered around and sprinted for three (furlongs) so it suited me. "You kind of have to humour him a little bit. When I saw Billy give his lad a slap down the shoulder, I knew I was in business then. “He just had a little think about it just going by a furlong and a-half and I just had to grab a hold of him and make him do it. There's plenty in the locker, but he has his own ways too. "He's an experienced horse and seemed to handle the surface well. He was here last week for a canter around. "I'd say he could mix and match it (hurdling) if there's a race for him. I'm sure the boss has something in plan for him. "I think he'll stay well on the all-weather if he had to go back on the all-weather again." (Quotes by Michael Graham)
