UK Horse Racing Tips: Thurles

CHARLIE BUCKETT is an interesting runner on his hurdling bow. The Champs Elysees gelding was a warm order on his debut in a bumper here in early November, but was pulled up early in the straight. He had a genuine reason for that poor show having scoped badly and, given the confidence shown in him first time, he should be a big player in this type of race. Purse Price has been placed seven times from 12 starts and wouldn't be winning out of turn. She ran a solid race when third to The Other Mozzie on her most recent outing at Down Royal. On Lovers Walk looks like the other main contender in a race that doesn't have much strength in depth. The Walk In The Park gelding chased home Thegraveyardbookie at Limerick last time.
Prediction : 1st Charlie Buckett 2nd Purse Price 3rd On Lovers Walk

HAUTURIERE looks the one to beat here after a commanding performance at the same level at Limerick over Christmas. The No Risk At All mare appreciated stepping up in trip then when running out a facile wide-margin winner. A drop of two furlongs wouldn't be a big concern. Harmonya Maker was disappointing behind the selection in third last time and has a tendency to jump off to one side. She looks best watched. Silent Approach beat Harmonya Maker in Cork last month and she could be a bigger danger. The Walk In The Park mare ran well against the geldings when third to Spillane's Tower in a Grade 3 at Punchestown last time. The relatively quick turnaround of a week would be a slight concern, though.
Prediction : 1st Hauturiere 2nd Silent Approach 3rd Harmonya Maker

ALLAHO won this twice in 2021 and 2022 and can strike again. The dual Ryanair Chase hero returned from a lengthy absence to score at Clonmel in November and ran a cracker in the King George when collared late on by Hewick in a dramatic finish. This looks a nice opportunity to get another victory under his belt before Cheltenham. The fact that he gets 4lb off main rival Envoi Allen looks a big plus. Henry de Bromhead's charge ran a cracker when last seen at Down Royal in November, losing out by a neck to Gerri Colombe in a tight finish. Keeping him fresh seems to work well. Capodanno ran well to finish third in the Savills Chase and should pick up more prize money.
Prediction : 1st Allaho 2nd Envoi Allen 3rd Capodanno

BATTLE OF MIRBAT finished off well when chasing home Percy Warner at Cork on his last outing and looks capable of striking off this kind of mark. The Ocovango gelding has now been runner-up on his last couple of runs and despite creeping up a few pounds, there looks to be a race in him. R'evelyn Pleasure is in the form of his life and has to be respected. He got a 6lb rise for his half-length win at Cork, but should still be competitive. Mount Frisco is less exposed than most. He was a cosy winner at Tramore and it will be interesting to see how he fares against experienced handicappers now stepping up in trip.
Prediction : 1st Battle Of Mirbat 2nd Revelyn Pleasure 3rd Mount Frisco

HIGH CLASS HERO gets the vote. The Willie Mullins-trained gelding won a four-year-old maiden point-to-point at Loughbrickland and is unbeaten in four starts under Rules. The Listowel bumper winner completed a hat-trick over hurdles when taking a 2m5f Listed novice hurdle on testing ground at Limerick in October and this looks a good opportunity to continue the winning streak. Easy Fella recorded a second hurdle win when overcoming a five-month break to score over a similar trip here just before Christmas. The selection had Sequestered and What Path both behind when scoring at the Listowel Festival meeting, while Mollys Glory won a mares maiden here last time but has more on her plate now.
Prediction : 1st High Class Hero 2nd Easy Fella 3rd Sequestered

INTENT APPROACH ran a cracker on debut when runner-up in a bumper at the Punchestown Festival last April and has come up against some useful sorts in maiden hurdles. He was far from disgraced here last time behind Asian Master and market support would be very significant with Mark Walsh booked. Cougar, a useful sort in juvenile hurdles last season, carries the same colours as the selection but now reappears after a near six-month break while Pakens Rock has been raised 6lb after winning over C&D last month. Wexford maiden hurdle winner Senecia has taken well to fences this term and is an interesting contender reverting to hurdles for the first time in over a year. Clonshire River ran better than his finishing position would suggest when reappearing at the Leopardstown Christmas meeting.
Prediction : 1st Intent Approach 2nd Senecia 3rd Clonshire River

The likes of Vaucelet and Winged Leader have put David Christie in the hunter chase limelight in recent seasons and FERNS LOCK is another smart sort for the Fermanagh yard. The son of Telescope won three times on the track last term including this race in runaway fashion and also added the Tetratema Cup at Gowran. He made a winning return between the flags and was just touched off by Its On The Line at Down Royal's Christmas fixture with Wowsham ten lengths back in third. Its On The Line's trainer Emmet Mullins is now represented by Romeo Magico who justified good support at Limerick last month while former Grade 1 winning novice chaser Hardline has won three point-to-points in recent seasons.
Prediction : 1st Ferns Lock 2nd Romeo Magico 3rd Wowsham