The Noel Meade trained Thedevilscoachman was absent from the Cheltenham festival when set to run in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle and now he is said to be fit and well ahead of his run at Fairyhouse in April.
The five year old for owner JP McManus looks to be a very exciting horse for the future, being a smart bumper horse and converting that to his hurdles runs this term.
He made his debut over flights in November and got off the mark straight away in a maiden event at Cork.
He then went to Leopardstown at Christmas and finished a good fifth in the Grade One Champions Novice Hurdle behind Appreciate It and Ballyadam.
Those two horses have since gone on to frank that form finishing first and second in another Grade One at the Dublin Racing Festival and also at the Cheltenham festival in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle.
👏 Lovely prospect
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) February 14, 2021
Listed glory for @tuvastables' Thedevilscoachman who makes it three wins from four starts over timber to continue the fine form of Mark Walsh this weekend @punchestownrace
Results & free replays ➡ https://t.co/sBcsavHpYf pic.twitter.com/n8PdqMt5DF
Thedevilscoachman also franked the form of that race next time out by getting back to winning ways in a Novice Hurdle at Navan, seeing off a nice type for Denise Foster.
The gelding was last seen winning a Listed event at Punchestown when seeing of the smart Fire Attack ahead of his run at the Cheltenham festival.
However, after suffering a small setback, Meade thought it would come to early and he is now said to be in fine fettle ahed of his run next month.
(Credit ATR) “Everything is good and if everybody agrees we’ll be going to Fairyhouse for the novice hurdle, that’s the plan,” said Meade.
“He’s in good shape now, he just got a tiny little nick when he won the last day which slowed him down for a week and ruled out Cheltenham.
“However, having watched Appreciate It come up the hill at Cheltenham, I was glad I was at home!”