UK Horse Racing Tips: Thurles

Willie Mullins holds a strong hand with Antey, who looked set to take a hand in the finish at Gowran last month before falling three from home, and useful dual-purpose performer Max Dynamite. However, this could go the way of ARVICO BLEU, who appeared to have this contest in the bag 12 months ago before making a mistake at the final fence. He should improve on his recent reappearance and represents a top operation.
Prediction : 1st Arvico Bleu 2nd Antey 3rd Max Dynamite

THATBEATSBANAGHER wasn't disgraced over hurdles last time and the six-year-old could be the answer returning to fences, with some of his most recent efforts over the larger obstacles offering plenty of encouragement. Brog Ahaon has performed respectably in his chases so far and is interesting on his handicap debut, back on a sounder surface, while Flamingo's Court was disqualified last time but that shouldn't detract from what was a promising round of jumping and she could make the frame here.
Prediction : 1st Thatbeatsbanagher 2nd Brog Ahaon 3rd Flamingos Court

WHATSNOTOKNOW showed plenty of improvement when finishing second over course and distance last month, beaten less than a length, and Mouse Morris' five-year-old is likely to be right there at the finish once again. The Broghie Man is another to rattle the crossbar recently and the penny looks to have dropped for Padraig Roche's charge. Backsheesh has been kept busy on the Flat since winning a mares' bumper in the summer and is an interesting hurdles debutant.
Prediction : 1st Whatsnotoknow 2nd Backsheesh 3rd The Broghie Man

THE BOSSES OSCAR has gone into plenty of notebooks with his performances so far this season and conditions look perfect for the course winner to build on his comfortable Leopardstown victory over the Christmas period to further enhance his reputation. Anything Will Do was third in a Grade 2 last time, albeit beaten a long way, but his trio of victories before that entitle him to respect stepping up in distance. French Dynamite was a winner here on his hurdling bow, but found life too tough in a Naas Grade 1 recently and is now tried in cheekpieces.
Prediction : 1st The Bosses Oscar 2nd Anything Will Do 3rd French Dynamite

SEMPO improved for the step up in trip when runner-up at Leopardstown over Christmas to Cobbler's Way, who placed in a Grade 1 last weekend, and the manner in which he stayed on suggested the extra yardage would pose no concern. Minella Encore is unlikely to be fazed by the slight drop in distance based on his third at Cork last month, while Alighted and Face The Odds appeal most of the remainder.
Prediction : 1st Sempo 2nd Minella Encore 3rd Alighted

CAPTAIN JIMMY hasn't shown much in four hurdle outings but he won a point-to-point in October and could have something to offer with his attentions now switched to handicaps. Capture The Action struggled on her most recent start at Gowran but her efforts prior to that had been very consistent and the step back up in trip might aid her cause. Dressednblack, fourth at Clonmel last time, and Knockanora Lady complete the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Captain Jimmy 2nd Capture The Action 3rd Dressednblack

Favori De Champdou has achieved a solid level of form in two bumper outings at Fairyhouse, most notably finishing runner-up to a subsequent expensive purchase on his most recent start, and he is expected to confirm the form with Fais Ton Chemin (fourth) on their New Year's Day meeting. The vote, however, goes to RUN FOR OSCAR based on his promising debut effort at Leopardstown over Christmas and he appeals as the type to build on that display.
Prediction : 1st Run For Oscar 2nd Favori De Champdou 3rd Fais Ton Chemin