Coney finished for year Trainer Eddie Harty is looking forward to next season with stable star Coney Island after deciding to draw stumps for the current campaign. The JP McManus-owned six-year-old grabbed Grade One glory in the Drinmore Novice Chase at Fairyhouse in December and was only narrowly denied at the top level once more when beaten by Our Duke at Leopardstown over Christmas. Connections had been looking forward to an appearance at the Cheltenham Festival, but he missed the showpiece fixture with a foot injury and will now be given plenty of time to recover. "Coney Island is fine. He got the bruise in the foot and he wasn't going to be ready for Cheltenham," Harty told At The Races. "We've made the decision we're going to give him time now. "He's six officially, but not really. He's a young horse, so rather than rush him back for the end of the season, we've decided to pull stumps for this season and plough on for next." Although Coney Island will be absent, it could still be a big end to the season for Harty, with Paddy Power Chase winner Minella Foru in line for a tilt at the Irish Grand National on Easter Monday. Harty said: "The Irish National is still in the picture, that's where he's aimed for. "He's in good form and hopefully he'll be right for the day."
