UK Horse Racing Tips: Thurles

Gavin Cromwell's LAW ELLA relishes plenty of cut in the ground and is of definite interest on her chasing debut. This Yeats mare has landed a bumper and a maiden hurdle in addition to finishing runner-up in a Grade 2 bumper at Aintree. This looks a good trip for her. Cromwell also saddles Soldaro who has two victories over flights in her locker. She ought to have a future over the bigger obstacles as a half-sister to a prolific winner at up to and including Grade 3 level over fences. Henning won three times over hurdles and will enjoy these testing conditions. She is another making her chasing bow and has to enter calculations. Presenting Doyen was a respectable second on her first crack at fences in Ballinrobe last month. The forecast rain is not in her favour, though.
Prediction : 1st Law Ella 2nd Soldaro 3rd Henning

ARDERA RU is unexposed over fences and there should be races in her off her current mark. On her penultimate start, she beat a big field of hurdlers in Gowran Park before staying on in second in a handicap chase over further at Tramore in April. Baldur's Gate is another returning off a break, but was a creditable second on his penultimate start in Thurles. Likable Chancer was the horse that beat Ardera Ru at Tramore. He has posted four runner-up finishes over fences since then and should be involved in the distribution of prize money. General Ryan outran his 25/1 odds when runner-up in very tough conditions at Tramore in August. Winners have come out of that race, so he has his chance. Agirlcalledchloe has been banking cheques and is far from out of contention.
Prediction : 1st Ardera Ru 2nd Baldurs Gate 3rd Likable Chancer

BRIGHTERDAYSAHEAD has to be taken very seriously on her hurdling debut. Gordon Elliott's charge was a decisive winner of two bumpers including when last seen in the valuable Tattersalls Ireland Sales Bumper at Fairyhouse in April. She is a half-sister to the ill-fated Mighty Potter who scored on hurdle debut before winning at Grade 1 level, so Brighterdaysahead has plenty of upside. Rockstown Girl has decent bumper form, but was unable to reel in the winner of a Fairyhouse maiden hurdle at the start of the month. There should be more to come from her in this discipline, though. Roccos Inspiration will welcome all the forecast rain and it is worth noting that she has been placed in six maiden hurdles. River Tara and Gone For Tea have the ability to get in the mix, but wouldn't want the ground to get testing.
Prediction : 1st Brighterdaysahead 2nd Rockstown Girl 3rd Roccos Inspiration

STAR OFFICIAL has shown enough since switching his attention to hurdling to suggest he can gain a breakthrough success. A winner on the flat at Killarney around this time last year, the five-year-old has caught the eye on a few occasions since going jumping. Having finished runner-up at Tramore on his most recent start, the Dick Donohoe-trained gelding can go one place better. On My Bike has been somewhat unpredictable since going handicapping but the Gavin Cromwell-trained five-year-old would be a danger on the best of his recent form. He takes a significant step back down in trip here so that could unlock further improvement. Be My Hero went very close at Bellewstown on his penultimate start before running below par last time. A reproduction of that earlier run would probably be good enough here.
Prediction : 1st Star Official 2nd On My Bike 3rd Be My Hero

BEACON EDGE, a horse that finished fourth in a Stayers Hurdle just a couple of years ago, remains very much a force at this level. A former Grade 1 winner over fences, the nine-year-old makes his first start for trainer Gordon Elliott here. Last seen when finishing sixth under a big weight in a graded hurdle at the Punchestown festival, the Doyen gelding can make a winning reappearance. HMS Seahorse remains a horse with scope for further improvement over flights this season. Paul Nolan's five-year-old has a leading chance at these weights once taking his jockeys claim into account. Aspire Tower has a long absence to overcome but the Henry de Bromhead-trained gelding would take beating if anywhere near ready for this assignment.
Prediction : 1st Beacon Edge 2nd Hms Seahorse 3rd Aspire Tower

POUR THE WINE can register a first career success having run a big race when third at Killarney last time. Peter Fahey's mare was having just her fourth start in handicap company, when beaten a length by a horse who had plenty in hand of the assessor. Gaining in experience with every run, the likeable seven-year-old holds leading claims under Eamonn Fitzgerald. Walk Out, who was just a place behind in fourth at the County Kerry track, should again be involved. The Walk In The Park mare is also awaiting her first success but has been placed on a few occasions. Lizrona, a winner here over fences, has to be a contender now that she reverts to hurdling off an 11lb lower mark. She also arrives here in form after a runner-up finish at Roscommon last month.
Prediction : 1st Pour The Wine 2nd Walk Out 3rd Lizrona

With those that have already raced appearing somewhat vulnerable, it could pay to take a chance on a debutant. The Willie Mullins-trained DOONWEST, a half-brother to two winners on the flat, is an obvious starting point. The six-year-old should stay this trip on breeding, so if doing so, he could have too much of a finishing kick for more stoutly bred opposition. The Enabler, a point-to-point runner-up at Curraghmore in April has to be considered on his racecourse debut. Having since been sold and sent to Gordon Elliott, the four-year-old is completely unexposed. Fad Eadrainn looks best of those with previous racecourse experience. Third on debut at Tipperary in May, the Patrick Foley-trained gelding filled the same position in a stronger race at Punchestown the following month.
Prediction : 1st Doonwest 2nd The Enabler 3rd Fad Eadrainn