RISING COCO is the RPGTV/GWA Greyhound of the Month for May.

The Jim Reynolds-trained, Coco Cabana Racing Club-owned runner secured the most votes from members of the Greyhound Writers’ Association after winning the Jay & Kay Coach Tours Kent St Leger Final at Crayford last month.

The popular local hope had landed an incredible 50-1 semi-final success in the 714m GBGB Category One event and followed up in typically game style to score a 17th career success in the £10,000-to-the-winner decider.

All those wins have come at the Kent track over four, six and eight bends and the victory delighted Crayford handler Reynolds, who praised the October 2018 daughter of Kinloch Brae and Old Fort Dakota.

He said: “She’s a real kennel favourite and is just the perfect Crayford greyhound. She traps like a sprinter, cuts the bend, and gets herself into a great position. Her race form has been unbelievably consistent and her sectionals are awesome.”

Rising Coco lined up as the oldest finalist in the Crayford final and, having started her UK career in A7, has made huge progress up the ranks.

Runner-up in the Crayford Autumn Championship in 2020, Rising Coco also reached the final of the Peter Bussey Memorial (540m) in February which supported the Premier Greyhound Racing Golden Jacket.

Clive Lawrence, executive producer at award sponsors RPGTV, said: “This is a great award for a superb and popular bitch.

“She’s been the epitome of consistency for a good while and to first strike at 50-1 in the semis and then to prove that was no fluke in the final – as we all knew anyway! – that was special and here at RPGTV we are all delighted for Jim Reynolds.

“He’s on the easy list at the moment so hopefully this award is a real tonic for him and the family – and, of course, we have his daughter Donna with us as part of the RPGTV team and she’s going a great job, too. Well done all, but especially Rising Coco.”

In winning the monthly honour, Rising Coco edged out four other nominations in May which were Icaals Rocco (John Mullins), Hellofakerfuffle (Jamie Kingsley), Lautaro (Patrick Janssens) and Mickys Barrett (Jason Gray).