Devil is Cheltenham possible
Kill Devil Hill could represent Irish handler Paul Nolan in the £150,000 Boylesports.com Gold Cup at Cheltenham next month.
The six-year-old runs in the colours of Gigginstown House Stud, made famous by Cheltenham Gold Cup hero War Of Attrition, and enjoyed his finest hour to date when winning last season’s Grade One Drinmore Novice Chase at Fairyhouse.
“The Boylesports.com Gold Cup is under consideration,” Nolan revealed.
“At the moment, we’re looking at where War Of Attrition goes. Mouse Morris may run him in the John Durkan Memorial Chase and we’ll enter Kill Devil Hill in that too.
“We’ll know where we go when Mouse makes his mind up whether he goes for the John Durkan – and I think he’ll probably go for that – so at this stage the Boylesports.com Gold Cup is an option.
“Chasing this year is very competitive. There are so many good horses both in Ireland and England so we’ll be looking to try to win a good race with him. Hopefully, we’ll pick the right one and he’ll get his lucky day.”
Following his success in the Drinmore, Kill Devil Hill disappointed in three subsequent starts but bounced back to form when second to Sir Oj on his seasonal reappearance earlier this month.
“He ran a cracker at Clonmel and came out of the race very well. Hopefully, we can keep him healthy and go one better next time,” Nolan added.
“He’s only six years of age and is basically a big baby. He’s a very big horse – going on for 17 hands – and last year he just went downhill after he won the Drinmore.
“He ran respectably but didn’t recapture his Drinmore form at all. He wouldn’t scope 100 per cent clean, then he would be fine and then he’d go wrong on us.
“His immune system wasn’t up to scratch and we’re hoping this year that he’ll be stronger and healthier, and will be able to fight these bugs a bit better.”
