UK Horse Racing Tips: Thurles

SALSARETTA made it two from two over fences with a victory over the useful Agusta Gold at Punchestown on New Year's Eve and the seven-year-old, who has always been held in high regard at Closutton, can land a hat-trick here. Caravation was a disappointing favourite in handicap company last time but can't be discounted in first-time cheekpieces, with course winner Moskovite another contender for prize money if at her best.
Prediction : 1st Salsaretta 2nd Caravation 3rd Moskovite

MITCHOUKA made a winning start to life in the care of Gearoid O'Loughlin when taking a beginners' chase over course and distance earlier this month and the six-year-old, who has acquitted himself well in Graded company in the past, has every chance of building on that on his return to the handicap ranks. Kildorrery made some eye-catching progress late on at Fairyhouse last month and is worth keeping an eye on here, while Tikkanen Express wasn't disgraced at Leopardstown over Christmas and makes each-way appeal off the same rating.
Prediction : 1st Mitchouka 2nd Kildorrery 3rd Tikkanen Express

A change of tack has inspired a revival in the former Ditcheat inmate SOME MAN, who landed back-to-back point-to-point victories in October, before making it a hat-trick of wins for his new trainer David Christie with a clear-cut success at Clonmel last month. He could take plenty of beating on current form and is preferred to Mighty Stowaway, who himself has been thriving in the pointing field of late. Stand Up And Fight is worth monitoring on his belated return to racing under Rules, while Ucello Conti won over course and distance in this sphere last season and has all the attributes to bounce back in first-time blinkers.
Prediction : 1st Some Man 2nd Mighty Stowaway 3rd Ucello Conti

In an open race the marginal preference is for ASSEMBLE, who failed to fire in a Grade 1 last time but his two previous victories suggest that he can make his mark at this level. French Dynamite accounted for a useful rival when winning here a couple of weeks ago and he could prove to be the main threat to the selection. Although, Front View and Drury also merit respect.
Prediction : 1st Assemble 2nd French Dynamite 3rd Front View

Point-to-point winner GOLD DES BOIS has improved in each of his three NH starts to date and this represents a fantastic opportunity for him to open his Rules account. Ekanse wasn't devoid of promise over 2m here last time and stepping up in distance could see him take another step forward, while Amber Wings, who boasts some decent bumper form, and Granny Knot, who was sixth behind the talented The Big Getaway on his hurdling debut at Naas, are other names to note.
Prediction : 1st Gold Des Bois 2nd Ekanse 3rd Amber Wings

The form of COMPORTA's Fairyhouse second took a nice boost when the third came out and won next time (winner placed in a valuable handicap at the Dublin Racing Festival) and he is fancied to go one better off this unchanged mark of 102. Ladymorata makes her handicap debut and might not be badly treated off 96, while Likable Chancer, who keeps running into the frame, and 15-year-old De Benno are others to keep an eye on.
Prediction : 1st Comporta 2nd Ladymorata 3rd Likable Chancer

Politesse has posted two fine efforts efforts to date, finishing third on debut behind the high-class Longhouse Poet before she was runner-up in Grade 2 company at the Dublin Racing Festival, and she looks sure to give another good account, but slight preference is for WATERGATE LADY. Her form also stacks up, finishing not too far behind the likes of Asterion Forlonge and Appreciate It on her last couple of starts, and she has to play a leading role. Beth Horan and Rhyme'n Rhythm add further spice to a strong bumper.
Prediction : 1st Watergate Lady 2nd Politesse 3rd Beth Horan

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