Denis Coakley's latest news...

• Sticky turf sees to Party Island's chances

  14 May 2021

  It wasn't to be for Party Island at Newbury this afternoon, after racing prominently early on he was not able to pick up for jockey George Bass in the final half mile on ground that was too sticky for him - between good-to-soft and soft. With those going conditions a mile and a half seemed too much for him today, and he will hopefully have another good day when conditions fall right. next time.

• Racing Post preview for Party Island at Newbury tomorrow

  13 May 2021

  'Party on with Island' reports the Racing Post today......"Party Island (3.25) is set to switch back to turf following an impressive win on the all-weather at Lingfield last month. Denis Coakley's gelding is up 4lb for that, but all surfaces seem to come alike to him, and the booking of George Bass would mean that the selection was racing off 1lb lower than at the Surrey track with the apprentice taking off 5lb. Since winning at Kempton in November, Party Island has gone up a stone and there could be more to come"

• Mixed fortunes for pair racing at Bath - a WIN FOR BOBBY KENNEDY

  13 May 2021

  On rain softened ground by the fifth race at yesterday evening's card, Lisdarragh ran very keenly early on and saw much too much daylight for him to settle, which coupled with the fact that he really did not handle the going conditions at all meant that he weakened quickly as the runners entered the home straight. So his next run will have to await a much sounder surface and he will have to race to ensure he is given plenty of cover - which he has really lacked in both of his last two runs. All connections were delighted with Bobby Kennedy, and after his two second places it was always on the cards that he could go one better and secure his first race win. A pull at the weights and the claim of jockey Laura Pearson enabled Bobby Kennedy to turn things around emphatically with Al Shaqab's Tajdid, who he had chased home at Salisbury last month. This time Bobby really showed he could handle the soft ground and also see out the twelve furlongs strongly as he won readily, stretching clear by a widening margin with Tajdid nine lengths back in fourth this time. Laura Pearson gave a fine, confident ride to bring out the best in the gelding this time, and owner Imelda Coakley and trainer Denis are really looking forward to seeing him go out again soon.

More news...