Coal back at scene of career high to land hunter chase

Sizing Coal third in the 2015 Irish Grand National behind Thunder And Roses, returned to Fairyhouse for the first time since to land the Download At The Races App Hunters Chase in style this afternoon.

Jamie Codd controlled this to a tee from the front on the 2/5 chance.

The champion amateur was looking around for dangers in the straight, and his mount produced a lovely big leap at the last.

From there the Presenting gelding strode on for an easy eight length victory over Rossvoss

Top of the game in this sphere for so long, the veteran Salsify finished a further three lengths back in third.

"He was very good. He'll not travel over the water and might come back here for Easter and then go to Punchestown," said winning trainer Jim Dreaper's son Tom.

"Jamie thinks he's well up to competing in those now, if the big boys turn up though it could be a different story.

"He's in the top bracket of what is around at the moment in the hunter chase game.

"The undulations of Cheltenham and the hype down the start is not his cup of tea. The only couple of times he's disappointed in his life were in big handicaps.

"We'll try and keep it small and try and get Enda (Bolger) to go somewhere else."

(GC & EM)