UK Horse Racing Tips: Thurles

ALLEGORIE DE VASSY is hard to oppose here and can make it two from two over fences. The No Risk At All mare was very good on her chase debut at Limerick, where she just had one blip two from home before recording a wide-margin victory. That was another Grade 2 event and she looks set to start a short price again. Malina Girl chased her home then and it's hard to see her turning the tables. Her stablemate Brides Hill may be the one to fill the runner-up spot this time. She ran well when chasing home Journey With Me at Naas and that form has worked out well since. The winner was narrowly denied in Grade 3 company, while she had Flame Bearer behind in third that day.
Prediction : 1st Allegorie De Vassy 2nd Brides Hill 3rd Malina Girl

This looks like a nice opportunity for CHACUN POUR SOI to get back in the winner's enclosure. The Policy Maker gelding went to post favourite in Grade 1 company at Leopardstown over Christmas but a bad mistake two from home then ended his chances. He still looks to retain plenty of ability and it will be interesting to see him stepping up to this trip now. He holds entries in the Irish Gold Cup, as well as the Stayers' Hurdle at Cheltenham, so Willie Mullins obviously thinks going further won't be an issue. Fakir D'Oudairies is the obvious danger. The Kapgarde gelding has been a wonderful servant for connections, with four Grade 1 wins under his belt. He was no match for Gold Cup favourite Galopin Des Champs at Punchestown on his return, but is still a smart performer and the fact that he is best at this trip makes him a danger to the selection. Royal Rendezvous is the other 160+ runner in the field but has a bit to prove after a tame effort in the Savills Chase on his return.
Prediction : 1st Chacun Pour Soi 2nd Fakir DOudairies 3rd Royal Rendezvous

The consistent GALLYHILL may be able to defy top weight here. The Getaway gelding bumped into a progressive rival in Big Debates at Fairyhouse last time and it was a decent run over a trip probably short of his best. The eight-year-old looked to stay really well when rallying to get back up over two and a half miles at Down Royal last May. Bottom-weight Galon De Vauzelle could be a danger. He has also been running well, having been placed on his two most recent runs, and getting chunks of weight from his rivals will help now. Charlie Stout ran a solid race when fourth in a competitive contest at Leopardstown last time and as a previous course winner, he's another who has to be considered.
Prediction : 1st Gallyhill 2nd Galon De Vauzelle 3rd Charlie Stout

BELLE THE LIONESS has run a couple of nice races over hurdles and can open her jumping account now. The Soldier Of Fortune mare won a Cork bumper last April and has been runner-up to a couple of nice types over timber. Her second to Liberty Dance here last month reads particularly well as she had The Model Kingdom in behind in third, and that rival was runner-up in Grade 2 company recently. Mollys Glory looks the obvious danger and she has plenty of placed form over hurdles in the book. She was no match for Ifiwerearichman at Down Royal last time and is a bit more exposed than the selection. The 101-rated Arthor could be one for a place in a race that doesn't appear to have a lot of strength in depth.
Prediction : 1st Belle The Lioness 2nd Mollys Glory 3rd Arthor

Gordon Elliott has a strong hand here, with Davy Russell opting to partner Santonito. The Coastal Path gelding is likely to appreciate this step up in trip and it'll come as no surprise if he manages to follow up his Clonmel success. CARDAMON HILL is the other Elliott representative and he is marginally preferred. He powered up the hill at Tramore on New Year's Day, beating Punchestown Festival winner Lisnagar Fortune by nine lengths. That was a taking performance considering it was his first try over flights and it'll be interesting to see how far he can progress. Embassy Gardens beat Santonito by just a nose in a bumper at Leopardstown in 2021. Beaten on his first two tries over hurdles, he could very well come into his own over this longer trip. Meetingofthewaters and Kilbree Warrior were both beaten at Limerick over Christmas and they look up against it.
Prediction : 1st Cardamon Hill 2nd Santonito 3rd Embassy Gardens

A dual bumper winner and successful at Clonmel in October, HEY JOHNNY is better than his current mark of 110. Things haven't gone right for him since that Powerstown Park success, unseating at Cheltenham before pulling up at Gowran. His most recent effort came in a Grade 2 at Punchestown last weekend and while he was outclassed, he was far from disgraced. Now in much calmer waters, a bold bid looks likely. New Ross battled on gamely to win over track and trip last month on what was his first start in well over a year, while Popova also has a C&D victory to her name and warrants respect. Rock On Cassie and Zoffanien are others for the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Hey Johnny 2nd New Ross 3rd Popova

A beaten odds-on chance in this race 12 months ago and yet to win on his seasonal debut, it might be worth taking on Billaway. Last season's leading hunter chaser has been a brilliant servant to connections but just tends to need his first run back. FERNS LOCK, the youngest horse in the line-up and a smart prospect judged on his easy win at Fairyhouse in November, is just preferred. Coastal Tiep was a good third at Down Royal over the Christmas period and he looks the best of the remainder.
Prediction : 1st Ferns Lock 2nd Billaway 3rd Coastal Tiep