UK Horse Racing Tips: Thurles

ROYAL RENDEZVOUS showed promise over timber last season and although his campaign ended on a sour note, when he pulled-up in Grade 1 company at Punchestown, he's likely to be an altogether different proposition on his seasonal/fencing bow with the benefit of a break behind him. Recent Listowel third Ministerforsport and Monstrosity, who was in contention until tumbling at Navan in September, could emerge as the main dangers.
Prediction : 1st Royal Rendezvous 2nd Ministerforsport 3rd Monstrosity

STYLISH MOMENT followed up his beginners chase success at Downpatrick when striking in a handicap over C&D next time out. A subsequent hurdles spin should have kept him sharp and he's expected to compete a chasing hat-trick. Great Khan has been nudged up 1lb for producing a solid track-and-trip second, a race in which Cusp Of Carabelli took the bronze medal, and is feared most.
Prediction : 1st Stylish Moment 2nd Great Khan 3rd Cusp Of Carabelli

Joseph O'Brien's new recruit Argumental has shown promise in point-to-points and is worth a market check on his first assignment under Rules, though preference is for FRENCH DYNAMITE, who has already tasted victory between the flags and is expected to show up well, on debut for Mouse Morris, under the thriving Robbie Power. Pienta sets a solid standard on his recent hurdling efforts, for all he's more exposed than the aforementioned pair.
Prediction : 1st French Dynamite 2nd Argumental 3rd Pienta

Willie Mullins' ELFILE pulverized her rivals when winning under hands and heels in a Listed contest at the Punchestown Festival, and it will be interesting to see if she can pick up where she left off on her seasonal bow. Her stablemate My Sister Sarah has been absent since winning a handicap hurdle on the same Punchestown card and doesn't have much to find with the selection on these terms, with only 3lb splitting them on official ratings. Bonarc, with match fitness in her favour, looks a potential candidate for third.
Prediction : 1st Elfile 2nd My Sister Sarah 3rd Bonarc

FAN DE BLUES boasts plenty of experience having raced over both hurdles and fences in France, with his last couple of efforts in Listed handicaps at Auteuil setting a decent standard. The son of Poliglote has since joined Willie Mullins and the drop in class can see him off the mark. Ennemi Public improved considerably on what he achieved in bumpers when third on his hurdling debut at Clonmel and warrants a fair amount of respect along with Exceeded Brief, who was last seen finishing fifth to Klassical Dream at Leopardstown last December.
Prediction : 1st Fan De Blues 2nd Ennemi Public 3rd Exceeded Brief

Billy's Angel got off the mark at the 17th time of asking over timber at Clonmel, but he has to back that performance up off an 8lb higher rating. Blackyellowred has placed on his last couple of starts and could have more to offer, but a chance is taken on BALKOS. He has shown limited promise so far but the switch to handicap company, combined with the booking of Danny Mullins, should see him take a step forward.
Prediction : 1st Balkos 2nd Billys Angel 3rd Blackyellowred

JOHNNY SUE shaped on his return when fourth at Fairyhouse as though he would benefit from the run and the step back up in distance could unlock further progression. Double Windsor returned to form when runner-up at Cork last month and he enters the reckoning along with Frere Fontaine, who appeals as the type to improve for the extra couple of furlongs after his third at Clonmel.
Prediction : 1st Johnny Sue 2nd Double Windsor 3rd Frere Fontaine