Sodexo Graduation Chase

Off time: 13:15 | Winning time: 5m 27.0s

Coney Island³⁵⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: B J Geraghty| T: E P Harty| OR: 158| BF

11/8

Ran Bellshill close as a hurdler and landed the Grade One Drinmore Chase a year ago. Split Our Duke and Disko last time and would be the clear pick if ready for battle. Has a good turn of foot and this is the easiest of his Christmas engagements.

Form: 51/2212-

More Of That^p⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Mark Walsh| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 155| D

6/1

Won the 2014 World Hurdle but looks difficult to trust nowadays. Last two runs over fences have been shockers and Coney Island surely carries his owner's hopes.

Form: 6U6P-6P

Adrien Du Pont^t²²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-10| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 145| C

11/10

High grade hurdler that made a solid start to his chasing career when winning at Fontwell in October. That was his first run since a wind op and he has gone well against two top novices since. Gets a useful weight allowance and trainer 5-7 in this.

Form: 43UP-13

Forecasts

Adrien Du Pont (11/10), Coney Island (11/8), More Of That (6/1)

More Of That appears to have lost his way of late and is hard to recommend as a result. Coney Island carries his owner's main hopes having established himself in Grade One company last term. Eddie Harty's charge has a useful turn of foot which will be handy if this proves as tactical as seems likely. However, he faces a stiff task in conceding 11lb and a fitness advantage to ADRIEN DU PONT. He was rated on a par with Coney Island over hurdles and has clearly benefitted from a wind op during the summer. His third to Willoughby Court and Yanworth last time looks strong enough to earn him the vote on these terms and his trainer knows what it takes to land this.