Will the decision to miss Cheltenham with Thedevilscoachman pay off?

2.50 Fairyhouse
Paddy Kehoe Suspended Ceilings Novice Hurdle (Grade 2) | 2m | 4yo+ | RTE2/RTV

Noel Meade resisted the temptation of taking on Appreciate It in the Supreme with Thedevilscoachman and he would have been pretty chuffed with that decision while watching the festival opener a few weeks ago.

Thedevilscoachman has only been beaten once in his whole career and that, as it happens, was behind Appreciate It too. He could only finish fifth in the Grade 1 Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown but dusted himself off to win at Navan and Punchestown since.

The most recent of those victories, in a Listed event, was very easy on the eye and achieved with more authority than the two-length winning margin suggests.

He is now rated 142 and, if handling these quicker conditions as he did when winning his bumper at Naas, he looks the one to beat.

Echoes In Rain will be partnered by Paul TownendCredit: Patrick McCann

Willie Mullins, who has won the race six times since 2013, is triple-handed and the presence of champion jockey Paul Townend on the enthusiastic Echoes In Rain suggests she is the number one hope from Closutton.

What they say

Denise Foster, trainer of Call Me Lyreen
I definitely don't think we saw the best of him at Christmas. He was progressing really nicely up to that point and he seems to be in great form at home. Everyone is very happy with him anyway.

Noel Meade, trainer of Thedevilscoachman
We didn't run him at Cheltenham to keep him for this. He's done well this season and is progressing nicely so hopefully he has a decent chance.

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Desir Du Large
I thought that was a very good run from him after a long layoff at Naas. He's been in good form since and I think he can run well in what looks a very competitive race.

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