'You'd imagine he has to have a great chance' - Thedevilscoachman out to repeat his 2022 success

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Three years after snatching the Boyne Hurdle from Ashdale Bob in the final stride, Thedevilscoachman is back for more. 

Now aged nine, Thedevilscoachman has not won a race for almost two years, but there was plenty to like about his latest effort in the Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran on Thyestes Day. Returning from a 297-day absence, he made light of his 28-1 starting price and pushed the rapidly improving Rocky's Diamond all the way to the line. 

That was a big step back in the right direction and he is defending an unbeaten record over hurdles at Navan as he not only won this race in 2022, but also impressively landed a novice hurdle at the track in 2021. He is the joint top-rated and this is his ideal trip, so he must have a massive chance. 

Gordon Elliott is triple-handed in his quest for a fifth win in the last decade. Sutton Place (2017), Diamond Cauchois (2018), Tiger Roll (2019) and Cracking Smart (2020) have all done the business for the Cullentra camp and the Grade 1 winner Farren Glory appears the number one hope in 2025. 

Last season's Royal Bond winner won over fences at Naas in November, but probably hasn't taken as well to chasing as connections would have hoped. He's talented and this longer trip could suit him. He'll be in his comfort zone during the first half of the race and his pace will be an asset at the business end, too. 

The problem for Farren Glory is that he has to give 9lb to Thedevilscoachman and if Noel Meade's representative runs as well as he did in the Galmoy, that means he has to achieve an RPR of 156. The highest level he has reached is 138, according to RPRs. 

Like Farren Glory, Riviere D'Etel is also back over hurdles after a chase run, while Maxxum completes the Elliott challenge and would have a chance on the best of his form, but he has a bit to find with Thedevilscoachman from their Gowran clash. 

The 2021 Gold Cup winner Minella Indo, who was third in last year's Grand National, is an interesting contender but it sounds as if all roads lead back to Aintree and he hasn't appeared since October, so is best watched. 

There have been some Boyne Hurdle shocks in the last decade. Tiger Roll was 25-1 when he won in 2019 and Cracking Smart was 16-1 the following year.

Ground and weather

The going at Navan is soft to heavy on both tracks. There is fresh ground in use on the hurdle course and round the bends on the chase track. There is a dry forecast with no rain expected.

What they say 

Gordon Elliott, trainer of Farren Glory, Maxxum and Riviere D'Etel
Farren Glory is a Grade 1-winning novice. He's been chasing of late but we thought this race might suit him and it will be interesting to see how he gets on over this far. If he stays, it will open a few more doors for him. Giving weight away to some good horses won't be easy, though. Riviere D'Etel would have a small chance on the best of her form and she gets a nice bit of weight, while Maxxum ran a cracker at Leopardstown over Christmas with a big weight. If he runs to that sort of level here he wouldn't be out of it.

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Busselton
He's back over hurdles so it will be interesting to see how he takes to it. We're looking forward to seeing what's in store for him over the spring. He seems in good form at home.  

Henry de Bromhead, trainer of Minella Indo
He's aiming for the Grand National. The Cheltenham Cross Country is a handicap now and is quite close to Aintree, so we said we'd focus on the National and run him here.

Noel Meade, trainer of Thedevilscoachman
He's great and has come out of his run at Gowran in really good order. Granted natural improvement from his first run after a break, you'd imagine he has to have a great chance.

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