Strong Irish interest early on at Kempton There is no shortage of Irish interest early on at Kempton this afternoon in the divided vbet.co.uk Standard Open NH Flat Race (GBB Race). Split one of the two miler at 12.45 sees Balco Coastal begin for Nicky Henderson after joining the Seven Barrows team for 100,000 pounds after an excellent point-to-point effort over here. The Coastal Path gelding finished second at Curraghmore in Waterford at the end of October for Sean Doyle, behind subsequent Grade One second placer Gentlemansgame. Gentlemansgame at that stage represented Sean’s brother Donnchadh, and of course the exciting grey, now with Robcour and Mouse Morris, found just Gaillard Du Mesnil too strong in Saturday’s Grade One Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors '50,000 Cheltenham Bonus For Stable Staff' Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown. A grandson of the Listed Flat placed French mare, Cheeky Hand, Balco Coastal showed plenty of ‘boot’ at Curraghmore and looks well equipped for this drop back in trip under Nico de Boinville in the Mark Blandford silks. On the jockey front, Max Browne, a grandson of legendary former trainer Liam, and a son of Martin, is aboard one of Balco Coastal’s main opponents, Nina The Terrier, who goes for the Alan King yard. Get Sky High won her point-to-point at Ballycrystal in Wexford for Denis Murphy, and she now goes into battle for Dan Skelton, whilst My Bad Lucy triumphed between the flags for Rob James, and Nick Gifford has readied him for this assignment. Newcomer Crawford meanwhile, is from the family of Coneygree and Carruthers. Half-an-hour on and Henderson and de Boinville could be in business again with Lingfield runner up Diva’s Mix. She’s a half-sister to Cheltenham Gold Cup placer The Giant Bolster. Allo Allo (Cormac Doyle to Fiona Kehoe), American Legacy (Mick Goff to Warren Greatrex) and Ozzie Man (Cormac Doyle to Gary Moore) are among the opposition. Stanley Stanley is another fascinating one here, for Paul Nicholls and his daughter Megan. This debutant is from the family of Irish Leger silver medallist Clowance.
