Powerhouse Irish yards dominate Scilly Isles field

Ireland’s two heavyweight stables of Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliot provide the two market leaders for the Virgin Bet Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase in Kitzbuhel and Kala Conti respectively.

While their main focus may be on the Dublin Racing Festival this weekend, the intermediate trip of two and a half miles around Sandown has drawn two potentially high-class youngsters to the Grade One contest.

Both six, Kitzbuhel was a very impressive winner over three miles at Kempton last time out and testing ground will bring his stamina into play, while Kala Conti was a comfortable winner over Mullins’ Kargese last time out and she gets a 7lb mares’ allowance.

With both trainers’ big team of jockeys employed at Leopardstown, Harry Cobden rides Kitzbuhel and James Bowen is on Kala Conti.

Bowen was the lucky beneficiary when Cobden was stood down from Jonbon ahead of the Clarence House and could find himself in the right place at the right time once again.

The Cullentra House handler and owners Robcour enjoyed success in this race with Gerri Colombe in 2023 and this year’s model has looked an excellent recruit to chasing in her two outings over the larger obstacles to date.

“We’re looking forward to it and this has been the plan since she won at Cork, she’s in very good form,” said Robcour’s racing manager Robbie Power.

“Gordon is very happy with her, obviously we would prefer it if Kitzbuhel wasn’t coming as well because he was really impressive at Kempton over Christmas, so it’ll be a tough race, as it should be for a Grade One, but we think she will go there with a good chance.

“She’s definitely improved for going over a fence and her jumping has been very good since day one. Jack (Kennedy) was mad about her the first day he rode her at Cork and it looks like she will be a better chaser than hurdler.”

Cobden, who teamed up with Mullins to win the Scottish National last season, said on Paddy Power’s Harry Cobden and the Weekly Podcast show: “I followed him around  last time out – he’s obviously very good, looks like he’s a good stayer and looks like he’s got plenty of speed as well because I thought we went a decent gallop at Kempton, so he’s obviously a class horse and a ride that I’m really happy to pick up.”

The best of the British challenge is Fergal O’Brien’s Sixmilebridge who was perhaps sketchy in places on his fencing bow at Ayr but put in a much more assured display when striking at Cheltenham prior to Christmas.

Always held in high regard, he steps up to the highest level now, with O’Brien saying: “He’s a powerful, strong horse so we’re looking forward to him going. He beat some nice horses last time at Cheltenham and he was carrying a penalty, so we were very happy with him.

“He’s been a good servant to us already, so long may that last.”

Another Prestbury Park winner, Stuart Edmunds’ Miami Magic, completes a select field of four heading to post.