UK Horse Racing Tips: Thurles

Willie Mullins has a strong hand with TENZING given slight preference over Ramillies. The Milan gelding is well suited by a test of stamina as evidenced by his maiden hurdle win at Cork last spring and he made a bright start over fences when staying on well behind the smart Gerri Colombe at Fairyhouse last month. Ramillies showed useful form both in bumpers and over hurdles and was also an easy winner of his only point-to-point start. Indiana Jones was let down by his jumping last term but was a lot better on that score when third on his reappearance here last month. Decimation and Mahler Mission were both decent over hurdles but the latter made a number of mistakes when switched to fences at Cheltenham this term.
Prediction : 1st Tenzing 2nd Ramillies 3rd Indiana Jones

ESTHERS MARVEL won a 2m4f beginners chase at Kilbeggan this spring and has been generally consistent since both over hurdles and fences. The Ken Budds-trained mare stayed well when third on her penultimate hurdle start over three miles at Limerick. Arverne is suited by a test of stamina and dropped down to an attractive mark when successful at Kilbeggan this summer. The top-weight had Touch Of Oscar 15 lengths back in third when runner-up to Sanibel Island at Killarney last time. King Ferdinand only joined current connections this autumn and already has a course win over an extended 2m4f to his credit while it will be interesting to see how Dreamsrmadeofthis copes with this significant step up in distance.
Prediction : 1st Esthers Marvel 2nd Arverne 3rd King Ferdinand

SOLOMAN LANE was far from disgraced when third to the smart Banbridge in a Gowran Park beginners chase before making a promising start in handicaps when again placed behind Happy Dreams at Naas last month. The locally-trained gelding should have further scope for improvement. Filon D'oudairies was just touched off here last month before beating Union Park in good style also over C&D, while Yabo also comes here off the back of a win having scored decisively at Gowran Park. Brandy Harbour switches back to fences after a runaway hurdle win at Limerick, while Wa Wa and R'evelyn Pleasure are others to consider.
Prediction : 1st Soloman Lane 2nd Filon DOudairies 3rd Brandy Harbour

LIBERTY DANCE won twice in bumpers last term and was also just denied in a Grade 2 at the Dublin Racing Festival. Gordon Elliott's charge was set a stiff task on her hurdle debut in a Grade 3 at Down Royal but showed the benefit of that experience when landing the odds over this C&D with A Law Of Her Own over ten lengths back in third. The Model Kingdom won three bumpers including a Grade 3 at the Punchestown Festival and has also taken well to hurdles scoring twice. She quickened up well on the run-in at Punchestown last month and is a big threat despite having to concede 4lb. Belle The Lioness won a Cork bumper that has worked out well and probably came up against a decent sort when runner-up on her hurdle debut at Punchestown.
Prediction : 1st Liberty Dance 2nd The Model Kingdom 3rd Belle The Lioness

BLANKETONTHEGROUND won twice over hurdles including over this C&D before being sidelined for over a year. She's been generally very consistent this season and was placed twice at the Listowel Festival meeting before filling the runner-up spot twice over this trip. She's edging up the ratings as a result but still remains on a competitive mark. Zoffanien takes a drop in class following two trips to Cheltenham, while Boothen Boy was far too keen when reappearing after a long layoff at Fairyhouse earlier this month. Ney scored in great style at Cork last month and should go well despite an 8lb hike.
Prediction : 1st Blanketontheground 2nd Zoffanien 3rd Ney

GRAND SOIR cost 160,000 pounds after winning a point-to-point at Lingstown 12 months ago but needed a few runs for current connections before striking form in staying hurdles. He won a maiden in good style at Kilbeggan before overcoming a mistake at the last when following up at Cork. L'or Des Roses has really progressed since adopting front-running tactics and is also on a hat-trick after scoring over an extended 2m4f here last month. Level Neverending also won a maiden at Kilbeggan earlier this year but needs to bounce back after a disappointing run at Killarney.
Prediction : 1st Grand Soir 2nd Lor Des Roses 3rd Level Neverending

MISS AGUSTA beat all bar Absolute Notions in the Goffs Land Rover Bumper at the Punchestown Festival before being sold to current connections for 235,000 euros and again showed definite promise when reappearing in a Listed mares bumper at Navan. Gaillimh A Run probably came up against two decent mares when finishing well at Naas last month, while One Cool Lady has joined Gavin Cromwell since finishing second to Law Ella at Down Royal. The winner subsequently advertised the form when second in a Grade 2 at Aintree. Katou is a half-sister to three winners and market support would obviously be significant. Skinnider, runner-up to Battling Bessie on debut at Cork last year, and Nine Graces are others to note.
Prediction : 1st Miss Agusta 2nd Gaillimh A Run 3rd Katou