Coexist just gets it on the nod on hurdle debut Coexist, placed on the Flat earlier this year, got his jumping career off to a winning start when justifying favouritism in the Matchbook 50/50 Series 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle at Punchestown. The Henry de Bromhead-trained gelding was ridden to lead approaching the final flight, but Borora Aura rallied gamely on the run-in to produce a desperately tight head-bobbing finish. The 11/8 favourite just got the verdict by a shorthead under Darragh O’Keeffe, with the pair pulling 12 lengths clear of Blissful Bonita in third. O’Keeffe said, “He probably made hard work of it. I thought going to the last, I was going to go and win snug. I didn't miss the hurdle or anything but from the last home, he veered off to his left and the second horse in fairness rallied again. Thankfully we came out the right side of it (photo). “We had a good bit of jumping done with him all last year and he'd been on grass and that. We were confident that if he brought that to the track his jumping should be good. He has plenty of scope about him and clever when he had to be. “He's still lightly raced so hopefully he can kick on now as well. Its box ticked now today but he'll have to step up and climb the ladder, and he'll have to progress on as well.” Quotes by John O'Riordan
