EDDIE Harty’s horses struck form with a vengeance at Christmas time and the obvious highlight was the success of Minella Foru in the valuable Paddy Power Handicap, but Coney Island’s victory in a maiden hurdle at Leopardstown was very taking and the latter will take on the best novice hurdlers around in next weekend’s Grade 1 Deloitte Novice Hurdle.

“We have a nice team of horses and they did very well for us over the Christmas. You need those good horses and we have great owners. Winning the Paddy Power Chase with Minella Foru was very satisfying and J.P. has been very supportive and we have some nice horses for him,” he stated.