CONEY ISLAND CAN EXCITE
Coney Island can start to realise his true potential by emerging victorious in what appears to be a vintage renewal of the Betfair Ascot Chase tomorrow.
Eddie Harty lost some valuable time with this seven-year-old as his novice campaign was brought to an early end last term following an injury setback.
Prior to a lengthy spell on the sidelines, Coney Island had been right among the top rank, winning the Drinmore before being beaten just half a length by Our Duke in a Grade One at Leopardstown.
He was off the track for nearly a year before returning with victory at Ascot in December, making a slow start before eventually cruising home by nine lengths once he got warmed up.
Clearly that race hardly bares comparison with this event, but Coney Island would be expected to progress for that outing and this two miles and five furlongs event certainly seemed to suit.
As he stays further, the testing ground should not be an issue and Coney Island can graduate to the top level in full company.
Anthony Honeyball has had his eye on the Sodexo Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase for Ms Parfois ever since she won at Warwick last month.
The seven-year-old has won three of her four chase outings, shaping well at Warwick before winning with the minimum of fuss by five lengths.
Soft ground brings out the best in this mare and with a handy allowance, she can claim a landmark Grade Two verdict.
The Dutchman will have plenty on his plate against Blaklion in the Betfred Grand National Trial at Haydock, but he can account for the Aintree favourite. Colin Tizzard’s runner revelled in heavy ground when running out a wide-margin winner of the Peter Marsh Chase at the track last month.
Given that was just his seventh outing over fences, it would not be unreasonable to say there could be a bit more still to come. He will be getting 13lb from Blaklion and with Danny Cook in the plate, he could puncture the reputation of the National market leader, who also hit the buffers in this race last year.
Agrapart posted his best effort for some time when winning the Cleeve at Cheltenham and he can follow up in the Betfred Rendlesham Hurdle.
Heavy ground brings out the best in Nick Williams’ runner and while some of the others might be heading in here with thoughts of Cheltenham uppermost in their minds, Agrapart will surely be all in as he is not even entered at the Festival.
Call Me Lord can make the leap to Grade Two company in the Betway Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton, cementing his status as a live outsider for the Champion Hurdle.
Make Music, third at Lingfield last month, can return to win the Betway Handicap.
Carolinae has hit the bar twice now but can take the Matchbook Casino/ EBFstallions.com Fillies’ Handicap at Kempton.