CONEY ISLAND TO RAID ASCOT
Irish Betfair Chase hopes rest on Eddie Harty’s charge
CONEY ISLAND remains on course for Saturday’s Grade 1 Betfair Ascot Chase.
Eddie Harty’s charge will be returning to the scene of his seasonal debut success, in the Sodexo Graduation Chase two days before Christmas.
A best-priced 10/1 shot for the Timico Gold Cup at Cheltenham, Coney Island has been lightly-raced over fences, winning twice and filling the runner-up berth twice.
And his form includes a win in last season’s Drinmore Novice Chase (Grade 1) at Fairyhouse and a close second to subsequent Boylesports Irish Grand National victor Our Duke in another Grade 1 at Leopardstown’s 2016 Christmas Festival.
On Saturday, the J P Mcmanus-owned Coney Island will face the likes of evergreen Cue Card and Top Notch in a small but select field.
Meanwhile, Folsom Blue, gutsy winner of Sunday’s Grand National Trial at Punchestown and set to be aimed at the Boylesports Irish Grand National, has received a 9lb hike in the ratings (to a mark of 142) from the handicapper following his length and a half defeat of Isleofhopendreams, which has gone up 5lb.
Benie Des Dieux, which outstayed stable-companion Asthuria in the listed Opera Hat Mares Chase in Naas on Saturday, is up 5lb to a new mark of 147.
The exciting seven-year-old is unbeaten in three chase starts since joining Willie Mullins. And, clearly in need of a step-up in trip from Saturday’s two miles, it will be fascinating where she heads now.
With no obvious targets in the mares chase category, will Mullins consider reverting to hurdling with Rich Ricci’s mare, for a tilt at the Grade 1 OLBG Mares Hurdle, and a clash with Apples Jade, at Cheltenham?
Benie Des Dieux conceded 7lb to Asthuria in Naas. And the runner-up has been allocated an initial chase mark of 141 while the strength of the Opera Hat form is reflected in the fact the third Dinaria Des Obeaux, already a Grade 2 winner, went up 1lb to 140.
The Philip Dempsey-trained Chesterfield King, winner of a rated novice hurdle at Fairyhouse last Wednesday, has jumped 10lb in the ratings, to a new mark of 115, following his late surge to beat Randalls Ur Poet and is the biggest National Hunt mover this week.
Elsewhere, it’s an important 48 hours for Grand National aspirants as the weights for the 2018 Randox Health Grand National, to be run at Aintree on April 14, will be announced in London today.
And entries for the €500,000 Boylesports Irish Grand National, at Fairyhouse on Easter Monday, a race that neither Willie Mullins or Gordon Elliott has won, will close tomorrow.