UK Horse Racing Tips: Thurles

THE KING OF PRS has made a promising start to his chasing career and could post his third victory in this discipline. After winning his first two races over fences in Wexford and Limerick, he finished third in a valuable handicap chase at Lingfield so the form is in the book. Hgranca De Thaix may have finished last of five in a rated novice chase at Punchestown, however, that run can be viewed in a better light after the winner followed up in a Grade 3 at the same track. Battle Of Ridgeway has shown that he is going to be a better chaser than hurdler. He was an easy winner of a beginners' chase at this track in November and has since finished runner-up on a couple of occasions. He should be involved in the distribution of prize money. Captains Nephew is another to consider while Willywampus' winning form is on better ground.
Prediction : 1st The King Of Prs 2nd Hgranca De Thaix 3rd Battle Of Ridgeway

This looks a good opportunity for HARMONYA MAKER and she can give weight away to her five rivals. Gordon Elliott's mare put in arguably her best performance to date when beating the odds-on favourite in a Grade 2 mares' novices' chase over a shorter trip at this venue last month. British raider Marsh Wren won half of her eight races over flights and is going the right way over fences. She has risen to a mark of 131 on the back of victories at Warwick and Uttoxeter and a runner-up berth in a Listed race at Wincanton. Law Ella did win her beginners' chase here, but has plenty to find with Harmonya Maker after finishing fourth behind her in that aforementioned Grade 2.
Prediction : 1st Harmonya Maker 2nd Marsh Wren 3rd Law Ella

ROCHESTOWN wasn't at his best on his last start over 3m at Navan, but looks better assessed on his strong-staying performance when winning over a similar trip at Tramore on his penultimate start. Harry Swan takes 5lb off his back, so he doesn't look to be on a bad mark. Soldier Of Honour showed much-improved form when keeping on for a close third at Down Royal. If he can build upon that, he has to rate a danger. Not May makes her chasing debut off a handy mark. She ran her best race to date over flights when runner-up at Punchestown last month and it is worth noting that she is a former point-to-point winner. Moonlight Getaway was collared late on at Punchestown before finishing second and has to show that he wants this trip.
Prediction : 1st Rochestown 2nd Soldier Of Honour 3rd Not May

STAFFORDSHIRE KNOT, who made a whopping 510,000 euros at the recent Caldwell Construction dispersal sale, is taken to bring up his hat-trick. He is up in trip and class, but is a lightly-raced horse on the upgrade. He came home well to win his bumper at Fairyhouse and was impressive in routing the field in a maiden hurdle at Down Royal. Willie Mullins' Largy Hill is proven over further as evidenced by a maiden hurdle success over 3m in Cork. His stablemate, What Path, is likely to make this a stamina test off the front, but a bigger threat may be another stablemate, Stoke The Fire. This five-year-old gelding absolutely ran away with a maiden hurdle at Tramore on New Year's Day.
Prediction : 1st Staffordshire Knot 2nd Largy Hill 3rd Stoke The Fire

The form of RUSHMOUNT's close second on debut in a maiden hurdle over 2m7f at this track looks particularly strong. The Shirocco gelding just failed by a neck and the horse that pipped him has since finished second in a Garde 2 and third in a Grade 1. Nos Na Riogh is up in trip after a pair of runner-up finishes at Navan and Naas, but should deal with it as a former point-to-point winner. The horse that beat him in Navan franked the form in no uncertain terms when winning a Grade 1 novice hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival. Find A Fortune was no match for the odds-on favourite in second at Punchestown last month, but there is likely more to come from him.
Prediction : 1st Rushmount 2nd Nas Na Riogh 3rd Find A Fortune

It isn't hard to see PORT RASHID running well for father and daughter Timothy and Jody Townend. The veteran won this race last year and is only 1lb higher in the weights this time. He should be ripe for this assignment after a plugging-on fourth over fences here just over a week ago. He also won this race back in 2020 and another bold bid looks more than likely. Robindevidastar has every chance of getting his turn. He comes into this race in the best form by some way courtesy of a pair of runner-up berths at Fairyhouse and Clonmel. Star Official's fourth place at Naas came in a much higher grade, so his chance has to be respected. Lake Chad is another that ought to be in the mix.
Prediction : 1st Port Rashid 2nd Robindevidastar 3rd Star Official

Willie Mullins' Doyen mare LADY GOONER is an obvious starting point given her trainer's very strong record in bumpers this season. She is a half-sister to a stayer who has won six times on the track, and is sure to be well schooled for her racecourse bow. Gordon Elliott's Wudya is a half-sister to a Grade 2 bumper runner-up, so has plenty going for her on paper. Lady Rose Hackett has switched to Henry de Bromhead ahead of her Rules debut after landing a point-to-point at Boulta in December. That experience will stand her in good stead and she avails of John Gleeson's assistance in the saddle.
Prediction : 1st Lady Gooner 2nd Wudya 3rd Lady Rose Hackett