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Coen rides out 10lb claim on Derry Lad

Derry Lad arriving at the winning postDerry Lad arriving at the winning post
© Photo Healy Racing

Jake Coen saw his claim reduced from 10lb to 7lb after riding the third winner of his career on board Derry Lad

The 11/1 shot contested the first division of the extended nine furlong handicap for three-year-olds only in Gowran Park.

The pair chased the leaders on the outer and began their forward move at the three furlong marker.

They came widest of all into the straight to grab the lead and ploughed their furrow towards the stands's side.

Coen kept him up to his work in the uphill finish and they fended off While You're Up (17/2) by a length and a quarter. Wonder Spirit (5/1) and She's Good Company (5/1) came in third and fourth respectively.

"He is a big, weak horse. We didn't think he would do much this year and he was very green in his maidens, but with every race he improved. We weren't expecting much in Tipperary but he surprised us a bit there and he is very tough," trainer Kevin Coleman said.

"We gave him plenty of time off after Tipperary even though we were tempted to go again. He told us he was ready last week and it was the last race of the season for him really.

"He won well and had a great claimer on him. A 10lb claim is massive, especially on that ground. He had a bad draw but it was probably a good draw today on the ground."

Additional reporting by Donal Murphy

About Michael Graham
Michael has worked in horse racing journalism for more than 15 years, having also written a weekly betting column on Gaelic football and hurling for a newspaper. He is involved in writing the My Racing Story features on this website. He spent a year in South Africa completing a Diploma in Business Administration and also studied Newspaper Journalism in Belfast. He enjoys playing 5-a-side football on a regular basis.