RACING: Christy Roche indicated yesterday that his star chaser Le Coudray will benefit significantly for the run in Sunday's John Durkan Memorial Chase.
The ex-French star, winner of Grade One pots at Fairyhouse and Leopardstown last season, hasn't run since finishing fourth in the Cathcart at Cheltenham in March.
"Le Coudray was late coming back in and in my opinion he will improve a lot for the race. He is very well though and I would imagine that Barry Geraghty will ride him again," Roche said.
The Curragh-based trainer also said that a step up to three miles for the Ericsson Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas is on the cards for Le Coudray.
"He will go in whatever race is suitable but I would think the Ericsson is certainly on the cards," he said.
It would be a first attempt at three miles for Le Coudray since his hurdling days and Roche voiced his opinion last season that the trip could have been beyond the then novice.
Le Coudray remained a 12 to 1 shot with Paddy Power for the Durkan yesterday but the market movers for the Grade One contest were both the English hope Tiutchev and Rince Ri.
Cashmans slashed Tiutchev's price to 9 to 2 from 7 to 1 while one bet on Rince Ri was enough to see that one's price cut from 20 to 1 to 12 to 1. The favourite Beef Or Salmon also hardened to 5 to 4 from 6 to 4.
The ground at Punchestown remained "soft" yesterday after 7mms of overnight rain. Fresh ground will be used on the main track on both Saturday and Sunday.
Before his Le Coudray date, Barry Geraghty will team up with Moscow Flyer in Saturday's Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown where they will clash with the main English hope, Azertyuiop.
Ruby Walsh has been confirmed as the rider of Azertyiop and trainer Paul Nicholls will also pitch Le Roi Miguel and Cenkos into the race.
Martinstown, as low as 4 to 1 favourite for the Cheltenham bumper, will be given a month off before beginning his festival preparation after Christmas.
"You wouldn't think he had a race last Saturday and he looks like a pretty good horse now," Christy Roche said.
BETTING: (Cashmans): 5-4 Beef Or Salmon, 5-2 Native Upmanship, 9-2 Tiutchev, 11-2 Keen Leader, 12 Rince Ri, 14 Le Coudray, 25 Adamant Approach, 33 Bar.
