UK Horse Racing Tips: Thurles

BRAWLER showed useful placed form over fences for Ciaran Murphy a couple of years ago filling the runner-up spot twice behind Jungle Junction including in a valuable handicap at the Fairyhouse Easter meeting. The Teofilo gelding was absent for nearly a year before a couple of runs over hurdles for Pat Foley just before Christmas and this looks a good opportunity (restricted to horses rated 109 or less over hurdles) if returning to anything like his best form. Mylestown Upper looks the pick of Gordon Elliott's pair and the Kilbeggan maiden hurdle winner, who returned after a lengthy layoff at Navan last weekend, now switches to fences. Look Don't Touch, Oscar Romero and Politicise are others to consider.
Prediction : 1st Brawler 2nd Mylestown Upper 3rd Look Dont Touch

HAPPY VICTORY showed some promise over hurdles last year, notably when fourth to the ill-fated Ginto in a Navan maiden hurdle, and has won both point-to-point starts since sent over fences this year. The selection beat subsequent winner Ryehill at Tinahely and followed up at Punchestown last month when beating Keenaghan Lass by three lengths. Dento Des Obeaux beat Winnie Woodnutt at Oldtown last month, form that was given a timely boost last weekend, and recorded a fourth point win when getting a walkover at Tyrella recently. Carrig Wells has plenty of point-to-point experience winning twice.
Prediction : 1st Happy Victory 2nd Dento Des Obeaux 3rd Carrig Wells

THE GUNNER YEATS may prove the pick of Willie Mullins' three runners. The selection made all in a Dromahane point-to-point in November 2021 and the following month was purchased by current connections for 310,000 pounds at Cheltenham. He didn't reappear until third to the impressive Firefox in a Navan bumper last month and gets the nod over stablemate Feu Du Bresil who was pulled up after losing his action at Clonmel last month having previously shown some promise in maiden hurdles. Baltic Moon has obviously been difficult to train and has not been seen since sixth in a Limerick maiden hurdle nearly two years ago. Set Point won on the Flat for Hugo Palmer but dropped away in the straight on his hurdling debut at Fairyhouse last month. Goldwyn and Run For Harry are others to note.
Prediction : 1st The Gunner Yeats 2nd Feu Du Bresil 3rd Baltic Moon

Port Rashid beat DYLAN LOMBARDY by half a length in a lady riders' handicap over C&D a fortnight ago. Jody Townend again partners the veteran gelding for her dad Tim but Eoin McCarthy's charge may reverse the places on these revised terms. The selection was also placed a number of times on good ground last year and hopefully the going won't deteriorate. Pidoyne showed improved form when ridden prominently last time and was only pegged back close home by Lovely Reaction at Limerick. She remains on a lowly mark with scope for further improvement. Benjis Benefit has shown promise in maidens while Flashthelights, Galactica and Gwan Tadhg are others to consider.
Prediction : 1st Dylan Lombardy 2nd Pidoyne 3rd Benjis Benefit

FRUIT BLOSSOM has shown promise over hurdles since joining Gordon Elliott in recent months. The seven-year-old mare, who kept on into sixth behind Tactical Move in a 22-runner Punchestown maiden, has been partnered by inexperienced riders on her latest three starts and the booking of Jordon Gainford adds to confidence. Young Darleen had a couple of these rivals behind when fifth to the odds-on Feddans at Clonmel last month and would have finished closer but for mistakes at both hurdles in the straight. Out The Gap, No Fussing and Walk Out appear the pick of the remainder.
Prediction : 1st Fruit Blossom 2nd Young Darleen 3rd Walk Out

ROBYNDEGLORY appears better than ever this year and recorded a fourth career win when drawing clear on the run-in over 2m4f at Fairyhouse last month. The step up to three miles is not a concern having won over the trip at Wexford last year and she probably put up her best effort when stepped up to Grade 3 company last time at Punchestown staying on in fifth behind Queens Brook. Whatsavailable also takes a drop in class after competing at the Dublin Racing Festival last month. The topweight previously won over 2m4f at Fairyhouse, while Champella is another for the shortlist. She won three times last year including over 2m4f at Wexford, while Riggs stays well and was third to the progressive Verdant Place at Punchestown last month.
Prediction : 1st Robyndeglory 2nd Riggs 3rd Champella

ZAIDI won a point-to-point for Ellmarie Holden and joined Gordon Elliott after finishing second to the Cullentra-trained Search For Glory in a Fairyhouse bumper last November. The latter has shown decent form since over hurdles including when going close in a Grade 3 at Clonmel. Naruto is an obvious threat and the market should provide a good guide to expectations for the Willie Mullins-trained newcomer. Getaway Charlie's second to Corbetts Cross on his penultimate start at Cork reads very well but the lightly-raced seven-year-old was completely tailed off when switched to hurdles here last time.
Prediction : 1st Zaidi 2nd Naruto 3rd Getaway Charlie