Coney Island set to bypass Leopardstown in favour of Ascot assignment

Coney Island is likely to make his first start for nearly a year at Ascot on Saturday rather than taking on Yorkhill and Sizing John at Leopardstown over the festive period.

Connections are leaning towards the six-year-old heading across the Irish Sea to compete in a 2m5f graduation chase, instead of contesting the race formerly known as the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown, for which he is priced between 8-1 and 12-1.

Trainer Eddie Harty said on Tuesday: "He hasn't run for quite some time and the Leopardstown Christmas Chase had long been the plan, but the graduation chase at Ascot could be the more sensible starting point.

"There's very little available for him on this side of the water and at this moment the more likely race for him is at Ascot, though he'll remain in the mix at Leopardstown."

Coney Island (centre) split Irish Grand National winner Our Duke (right) and King George hope Disko (left) at Leopardstown in Grade 1 company last ChristmasCredit: Caroline Norris

Harty reported last season's Drinmore Novice Chase winner to be in fine fettle and added: "He's done very well over the summer, looks fantastic and is in great form.

"We'll keep everything crossed for the next week wherever he goes. The Christmas Chase is obviously red hot and Ascot is very competitive, too, but it could be the more sensible option."

Coney Island is priced at between 16-1 and 33-1 for the Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup and is among a dozen entered for the Ascot race on Saturday, along with More Of That, Regal Encore and O O Seven.

Ascot entries

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