16:25 Fairyhouse

Monday 2 April 2018

All14:1014:4515:1515:5016:2517:0017:4518:15

Devenish Chase (Grade 2)

Off time: 16:25 | Winning time: 5m 56.30s

Coney Island⁴⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: B J Geraghty| T: E P Harty| OR: 162| CD

11/2

Smart novice chaser, touted as a Gold Cup contender after reappearance success in Ascot Graduation Chase (2m5f, good to soft) in December. Pulled up back there in February in Grade 1, capable of bouncing back to form and respected.

Form: 2212-1P

Un De Sceaux¹⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 164| BF| C

5/6

Wilted under the pressure at Cheltenham when shedding his crown in the Ryanair Chase, though he did stick to his task gainfully. Teak-tough performer won't go down without a fight.

Form: 112-112

A Toi Phil^t⁴⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 155| D

12/1

As good as ever when winning the Grade 3 Kinloch Brae at Thurles in January over this trip, no match for smart pair in the Red Mills Chase at Gowran Park since. Has something to find to score at this level.

Form: 424214

Ballycasey⁴⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 11-10| J: D J Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 155| C| D

25/1

Into the veteran stages now, chased home Our Duke and Presenting Percy at a respectful interval in the Red Mills Chase at Gowran Park over the trip last time out. Likely to hold place claims at best again.

Form: 102353

Doctor Phoenix^p,t¹⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 156| BF| C| D

5/1

Three wins this season, including a Naas Grade 3 over 2m (soft) in February. Skipped Cheltenham, then chased home the smart Great Field at Navan 10 days ago over 2m. Goes up in trip and must be respected for leading handler.

Form: 210112

Fine Rightly^h,t⁷²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-4| J: J J Slevin| T: S R B Crawford| OR: 142| D

40/1

Just about all his best form has been on bottomless ground and he is a former Grade 2 winner (also made frame in an Irish Gold Cup). Could go well down in trip if the rain arrives.

Form: 0-33205

Kylemore Lough⁵¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: N D Fehily| T: H Fry| OR: 150| CD

13/2

Useful novice form in 2016 included Grade 1 success over this C&D when trained by Kerry Lee. Ran in two hot races early this winter, more like it last time at Warwick (second) and sole British raider can be given a chance at this venue.

Form: 554-P32

Non-Runners

Champagne West⁶⁷

Weight: 11-4| Age: 10

T: H De Bromhead J: A E Lynch

Forecasts

Un De Sceaux (5/6), Doctor Phoenix (5/1), Coney Island (11/2), Kylemore Lough (13/2), Champagne West (10/1), A Toi Phil (12/1), Ballycasey (25/1), Fine Rightly (40/1)

The Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham brought the first signs that Un De Sceaux is finally starting to wilt and the 'Iron Horse' is taken on here with CONEY ISLAND. His effort at Ascot last time was surely too bad to be true and this lightly-raced chaser will surely have plenty more to offer. He's got the stamina to burn off his rivals on this testing surface. Doctor Phoenix is improving all the time since joining Gordon Elliott and should be involved at the business end while British raider Kylemore Lough is capable of building a challenge over a C&D where he has excelled before.