Thedevilscoachman back over hurdles Thedevilscoachman reverts from chasing to contest the Grade 2 BetVictor Boyne Hurdle at Navan today. Noel Meade's six-year-old gelding put in placed efforts behind Ferny Hollow and Saint Sam in beginners' chases at Punchestown and Fairyhouse respectively, but a hold up has led to a change of plans. Meade said: “If he won a beginners' chase around this time of the year then he wouldn’t have a lot of time as a novice. “He got held up with a problem before Christmas and it slowed the whole thing down. We’re into February now so that’s why we decided to go back over hurdles with him. “You never know how they are going to take to it, going back to hurdles after being over fences.” Thedevilscoachman won three times over hurdles including at Listed level at Punchestown just over a year ago. Frank Berry, racing manager for JP McManus, added: “He didn’t jump great the last day in Fairyhouse and he’s going back over hurdles to see if we get some confidence back into him. “It’s a competitive race and if he runs well then he’ll probably stay hurdling for a while. It will help to decide where we go with him for the rest of the season. “He likes soft ground so I don’t think it will be a problem to him.” Gordon Elliott fires two darts at this race and said: “If Commander Of Fleet came back to his handicap win he’d have an each-way chance but he was disappointing the last day. We’ll roll the dice and see what happens. “Grand Roi ran well at Leopardstown at Christmas and hopefully he’ll give a good account of himself.” Darver Star is a significant non runner in addition to Darasso, No Memory and Conron. (Alan Magee & Michael Graham)
