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Harty star likely to return to fences

Connections of Coney Island will take their time with plans for the Grade One-winning chaser after his encouraging comeback run over hurdles at Navan.

The seven-year-old stayed on in eye-catching fashion on Sunday into third place behind Apple’s Jade in the Lismullen Hurdle, on his first start since being pulled up for the second successive time over fences at Fairyhouse in April.

It is likely Coney Island will revert to the bigger obstacles, although trainer Eddie Harty has yet to speak to owner JP McManus and racing manager Frank Berry.

“It’s too early to say where he’ll go next,” said Harty.

“We were very pleased with the run at Navan. It looked like the old Coney Island.

“He’s come out of it well, and there is no real rush. We haven’t sat down and discussed where we go next.”

Coney Island’s promising return has opened up several options.

Harty added: “We’ll let that come to us.

“There are some nice races closing in the next few weeks. We’ll sit down and discuss which ones to put him in.

“Nothing is cast in stone, but I imagine the plan might be to go back over fences.”