RSA CHASE SECOND favourite Coney Island has become the latest in a long line of high-profile horses to be ruled out of this year’s Cheltenham Festival.

The six-year-old was 6/1 second favourite for the RSA Chase and a 10/1 shot for the JLT Novices Chase, but will now miss this month’s festivities at Prestbury Park.

Trainer Eddie Harty told the Racing Post today:

Unfortunately Coney Island won’t be running at Cheltenham. He badly bruised a foot during the week and there is no way he will have recovered in time to travel.”

The JP McManus-owned horse would have attracted a lot of attention at the festival having won the Grade 1 Drinmore Novice Chase at Fairyhouse late last year before finishing second to Our Duke by half a length in the Novice Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas; that race was also a Grade 1.

Coney Island joins Thistlecrack, Faugheen, Min and Annie Power as star attractions who won’t feature at Cheltenham this year.

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