3 minute read

Eddie Harty believes the Sodexo Graduation Chase at Ascot on Saturday is the perfect starting point for his potential Cheltenham Gold Cup contender Coney Island.

A Grade One winner as a novice last season, he has not been seen for almost a year since being caught close home by subsequent Irish National winner Our Duke at Leopardstown.

Back in third that day was Noel Meade's Disko, so the form could hardly have worked out any better, but not surprisingly after a long absence Harty was not keen to throw him back in at the deep end first time out.

"I think there's a bit of nervous apprehension ahead of it, but also a sense of relief," said Harty.

"This race hasn't been a long plan, but he's just ready to run now and this race was there. He's only days away from a year off, so with the Lexus (Leopardstown Christmas Chase) looking like being as hot as it is, I thought this looked a sensible starting point.

"The trip looks perfect, it's a small field and the ground is decent. There's only two against him, but More Of That has been a very good horse on his day and Adrien Du Pont is getting 11lb and wasn't far off Willoughby Court last time out.

"We'll just get him out, hopefully he'll run a good race and it will set him up for the rest of the year. His form is very good but this is his first run, he's travelling overseas and he's meeting fit horses. It will be an interesting day.

"All we're looking for is a nice safe run, win, lose or draw and we can go from there."

He added: "His next step, all being well, is likely to be the Irish Gold Cup, but he looks well and he's ready for this run.

"He's not even seven yet, so hopefully he's got a long career ahead of him. They are talking of him being in the mix for the Gold Cup, but he's still a young horse."