All eyes on Thedevilscoachman as he tackles beginners' chase with a rich history

Sunday: Galway

High-class hurdler Thedevilscoachman will bid to join an illustrious roll of honour when making his seasonal return over fences at Galway in a 2m6½f beginners' chase (1.15) that boasts a rich history.

Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Don Cossack and star stayer Presenting Percy are two of the most high-profile names to have won this contest in recent years, while other Grade 1 winners of the Ballybrit prize since the turn of the millennium include Harbour Pilot, Southern Vic, China Rock, Jessies Dream, Last Instalment, Very Wood, Blow By Blow and Battleoverdoyen.

Thedevilscoachman shaped encouragingly when third behind top-notch chaser Ferny Hollow on his first start in this sphere at Punchestown in December, but he was let down by his jumping when second to the twice Grade 1-placed Saint Sam at the same venue in January.

Those efforts came over 2m1f, so it will be interesting to see whether the JP McManus-owned six-year-old jumps with more fluency over this longer trip. He excelled when stepping up to 2m5f for the first time in winning the Grade 2 Boyne Hurdle when last seen in February.

Trainer Noel Meade said: "He'll like the ease in the ground and I don't think the trip should be a problem for him. I'm happy with him and we're looking forward to giving fences another go.

"He met some smart horses in his two chase runs last season and we ran him back over hurdles in the Boyne when he was going chasing again this season as a novice."

Depth is added to the race by chase debutant Churchstonewarrior – last seen finishing second in a Grade 2 novice hurdle at Fairyhouse in April – and long-absent 2021 Galmoy Hurdle winner Sams Profile.

Thedevilscoachman is priced between 25-1 and 33-1 for the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase at Cheltenham.

There could be Cheltenham clues in the opening 2m mares' maiden hurdle on the card (12.40) as £385,000 point-to-point purchase Deeply Superficial makes her debut for Gordon Elliott.

Already prominent in the market as a top-priced 12-1 chance for this season's Ryanair Mares' Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham, the five-year-old by Flemensfirth accounted for Listed bumper winner Mullenbeg by ten lengths on her sole start at Lingstown in December.

Battling Bessie (purple and pink silks): classy bumper form last seasonCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

Battling Bessie, trained by Peter Fahey, rates a fascinating challenger on the basis of her classy bumper form last season. She chased home American Mike in a Listed contest at Navan in December and was narrowly denied in a Grade 2 at the Dublin Racing Festival.

Gavin Cromwell also saddles Law Ella, runner-up to Ashroe Diamond last time in a Grade 2 mares' bumper at Aintree in April.

Fahey said: "It's a very competitive maiden hurdle, but we're really looking forward to her over hurdles this season. Hopefully this is a good place for her to start. She's schooled well and had a brilliant time of things last season."

Battling Bessie, who will be having her first start over hurdles, is priced between 16-1 and 25-1 for the Mares' Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Best winners of Galway's 2m6½f beginners' chase since 2000 and their peak Racing Post Ratings

2013 Don Cossack (182)
2017 Presenting Percy (172)
2001 Harbour Pilot (168)
2009 China Rock (168)
2011 Last Instalment (168)
2012 Lyreen Legend (163)
2019 Battleoverdoyen (163)
2004 Cane Brake (161)

Galway card and betting

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