Coney Island slashed for Gold Cup after impressive Ascot comeback

After being on the sidelines for nearly a year, Coney Island served a reminder of his quality with a victory that catapulted him towards the head of the Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup market.

The six-year-old was cut to a general 14-1 (from 25) after his success at Ascot on Saturday. Some firms went even further, slashing his price to 10-1, the same odds as 32Red King George VI Chase contenders Bristol De Mai and Thistlecrack.

Trained by Eddie Harty for JP McManus, Coney Island's connections opted to travel to Ascot for Saturday's 2m5f graduation chase instead of contesting the Grade 1 Leopardstown Christmas Chase.

The decision paid off as Coney Island chased down and swept past the front-running, but tiring, Adrien Du Pont in the straight before drawing away for a nine-length victory.

Coney Island was running for the first time since December 29 last year when he finished second to Our Duke in the Grade 1 Neville Hotels Novice Chase at Leopardstown. He had captured the Grade 1 Drinmore Novice Chase on his previous outing.

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