UK Horse Racing Tips: Thurles

CHURCHSTONEWARRIOR was a useful staying novice over hurdles last season, winning at Sligo and at this venue, and he also went close in a Grade 2 at Fairyhouse. The Mahler gelding got his chasing career off to a promising start when runner-up to the more experienced Thedevilscoachman over a similar trip at Galway. Unexpected Depth was arguably the pick of these over hurdles, winning three times and finshing second in a valuable handicap at Leopardstown off a mark of 141. He also made a decent start over fences when runner-up to the smart Three Stripe Life at Naas. Irascible and The Goffer have shown a similar level of form over hurdles, while Indiana Jones had useful placed form over fences last term, including when second to Busselton, before taking a series of falls.
Prediction : 1st Churchstonewarrior 2nd Unexpected Depth 3rd Irascible

ARCTIC AMBITION won over this trip at Tramore on New Year's Day for Robert Tyner and may have just needed the run on his first start for new connections at Down Royal earlier this month. The selection made a couple of mistakes and perhaps didn't quite see out the three miles when third to Final Orders. Goodnightngodbless has been a frustrating sort to follow over fences but has dropped down to an attractive mark, while Difficult Decision has a recent course win to his credit. He was prominent throughout when scoring over 2m2f but has shown over hurdles that he stays further. Oscer Romero won three times over hurdles at Ballinrobe last year and indicated a return to form when beating all bar Temptationinmilan over fences at Listowel.
Prediction : 1st Arctic Ambition 2nd Goodnightngodbless 3rd Oscer Romero

FAVORI DE CHAMPDOU gets the vote over stablemate Jack In The Box in a race where the market strength of the Elliott-trained pair will be interesting to note. The form of his bumper win over Run For Oscar here in February has worked out very well since and the selection has taken well to hurdles, with a C&D victory over Silver Gazette earlier this month. Jack In The Box progressed with each run last term when winning a 2m3f Naas maiden hurdle and perhaps needed the run when reappearing at Galway last month. Point-to-point winner Harry Des Ongrais took advantage of a good opportunity when scoring with ease at Wexford last month but has more on his plate here. Suain Na Draoicht won't lack for stamina having won over 3m1f at Sligo.
Prediction : 1st Favori De Champdou 2nd Jack In The Box 3rd Harry Des Ongrais

SAINTE DONA ran a cracker last time at Clonmel and looks capable of landing a race of this standard now. She came from the point-to-point field and should handle this step up in trip. The Saint des Saints mare galloped on to the line when losing out by a neck to Henning last time and the fact that she gets weight from the previous winners looks a big plus here. The four-year-old Ginnets Girl has to give her half a stone. She looks an obvious danger having been runner-up on her last two outings. Ballycashin won a Wexford bumper last time and has to be respected but giving weight to the field on her jumping debut looks a tough ask.
Prediction : 1st Sainte Dona 2nd Ginnets Girl 3rd Ballycashin

L'OR DES ROSES won easily last time and can defy a 9lb rise for that victory. The unexposed French-bred had run with credit on four outings around Downpatrick in the autumn and connections felt a more conventional track may have brought improvement last time at Cork as he scored by eight lengths. He appreciates decent ground so it's no surprise to see him come to this track. Lizlucky also won last time out, in testing ground at Clonmel, and she has to be respected after a 6lb rise. Gali Flight ran a solid race when third in Gowran last time and off just a pound higher mark he's another that has to be on the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Lor Des Roses 2nd Lizlucky 3rd Gali Flight

OUR BOBBY was running a big race when falling at the last in Wexford last time and may be worth a shot here in a tricky looking contest. The Fairly Ransom gelding was staying on to dispute second when crashing out at the last and off just a pound higher mark he could make a big impression now. Gendarme has to overcome a long absence and the market may prove the best guide to his chances. He won his last two, back in July 2021, and races off an 11lb higher mark now. Ocojohn hasn't been far away on recent runs and could be each-way material in this.
Prediction : 1st Our Bobby 2nd Gendarme 3rd Ocojohn

The 137-rated IL ETAIT TEMPS should prove hard to beat in this. The Jukebox Jury gelding was highly tried in three runs last season, all in Grade 1 company, and Willie Mullins often does this with a nice sort to maintain their novice status for the following season. His best run was when third to stablemate Vauban at the Dublin Racing Festival while he was also fifth in the Triumph Hurdle. This should be a straightforward task now. Nucky Johnson may be the one to give him most to do. The bumper winner ran a nice race on his hurdling debut when third to Three Card Brag at Galway and will find easier opportunities than this. Pachmena has had a couple of nice runs over timber recently and can pick up prize-money again.
Prediction : 1st Il Etait Temps 2nd Nucky Johnson 3rd Pachmena