UK Horse Racing Tips: Thurles

ZANAHIYR was no match for Fact To File on his chase debut at Leopardstown over Christmas but there was no disgrace in that with the winner looking a potential star in the making. The Nathaniel gelding was a classy hurdler and with the experience of that outing under his belt he could prove hard to beat now. Willie Mullins runs three in this and Feu Du Bresil may prove the pick. He was well beaten behind Marine Nationale last time but had run a big race when pushing Mister Policeman close at Fairyhouse previously. In-form jockey Danny Mullins takes the mount again. Ho My Lord chased home Il Etait Temps here in late November and is another for the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Zanahiyr 2nd Feu Du Bresil 3rd Ho My Lord

MCGRATH FROM CLUNE may be able to score back over fences here. The Califet gelding was a good winner over slightly further here in November and got a 10lb hike for that cosy five-length success. He has run a couple of decent races over timber since and chasing may be more his game. Thedancingfarrier ran well on his return to fences at Cork last month and he looks an obvious danger off an attractive enough mark. Prince Of Air has been running consistently enough in some competitive heats and is another that has to be considered.
Prediction : 1st McGrath From Clune 2nd Thedancingfarrier 3rd Prince Of Air

A weak contest and GLENDINE BILLY may prove the answer. The Tony Mullins-trained gelding didn't run too badly when fourth to Jimmy Du Seuil over timber at Clonmel last month and looks open to further improvement on just his fourth career outing. On Your Way hinted at some promise when sixth, albeit beaten a long way, on his debut at Limerick just nine days ago. He should improve and could get a lot closer now. Crooked Tannie weakened tamely on his hurdling debut at Navan, when running too free, and may appreciate this drop in trip.
Prediction : 1st Glendine Billy 2nd On Your Way 3rd Crooked Tannie

This is definitely the stronger of the two divisions. KINGS HILL ran a nice race when fourth in a hot Leopardstown event over Christmas and gets the vote to step forward now. The Kingston Hill gelding was only beaten three-and-a-quarter lengths to the impressive No Flies On Him and was one place behind the 133-rated Ascending. Cappucino has some decent form in the book and looks like an obvious danger. The Westerner gelding was third at Tramore last time, in a decent contest for the course, and with improvement should be a big player now. Point-to-point winner Littlebiggie has been runner-up in a bumper and a maiden hurdle and is another for the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Kings Hill 2nd Cappucino 3rd Littlebiggie

ST CUTHBERT'S CAVE can be forgiven his last run, having returned lame, and can get back on track now. The Court Cave gelding had been third in a strong maiden hurdle, won by An Tobar, at Fairyhouse previously and that is good form in the context of this race. Toor Khov is an interesting one on his hurdling debut having shown a nice level of ability in bumpers. He was placed three times, the best run when third at Cork in October. Our Boy Rocky ran a nice race when fifth at Limerick over Christmas and could be place material now.
Prediction : 1st St Cuthberts Cave 2nd Toor Khov 3rd Our Boy Rocky

LOUGH NIGARA remains unexposed and can step forward here after a good run on his handicap debut at Punchestown last month. The Sans Frontieres was keen enough then but travelled well into the straight before flattening out to finish third to Buachaillbocht in a competitive enough race. This is a slightly lower grade now. Toor Moon also comes into this off the back of a good run, when chasing home Mick Charlie at Tramore, and is an obvious danger. Seangoell is a capable sort on her day and has slipped to a nice mark. She's another for the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Lough Nigara 2nd Toor Moon 3rd Seangoell

Willie Mullins runs three in this and COCO MASTERPIECE may prove the pick in the colours of Simon Munir and Isaac Souede. The Authorized gelding returns from a long absence here but fitness is rarely an issue coming form Closutton. He was a point-to-point winner a couple of years ago before being beaten at a short price in a winners race subsequently. Ned In The Park ran a promising race when fourth on his debut in a Fairyhouse bumper on New Year's Day and with improvement he could be a big player now. Mullins also runs a couple of newcomers and Ballygunner Castle is interesting.
Prediction : 1st Coco Masterpiece 2nd Ned In The Park 3rd Ballygunner Castle