UK Horse Racing Tips: Thurles

JIGORO should prove hard to beat here on his chase debut. The French-bred had some smart novice hurdle form before struggling in handicap company on his final two starts of last term. After winning on his second outing at Navan, he was runner-up in Grade 2 company the following month in Punchestown and, like a lot of the yard's horses, will have been bought with chasing in mind. Caesar Rock has the chase experience in the book and he's the obvious danger. Drumgill was progressive over hurdles and is another to note on his chase debut.
Prediction : 1st Jigoro 2nd Caesar Rock 3rd Drumgill

BALTINGLASS HILL has run well on his two outings over fences and has a nice weight in this, with Tiernan Power Roche taking off 7lb. The Cable Bay gelding was fourth in a competitive enough contest at Sligo last time and remains on the same mark of 93. Must Be Dreaming won well on her penultimate outing at Tramore before finding Grade 3 company too hot in Punchestown. She has a shout here if on a going day. Someone's Wish didn't run too badly over timber at Navan the other day and his chase form is stronger. He's another for the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Baltinglass Hill 2nd Must Be Dreaming 3rd Someones Wish

Just four line up and, realistically, it looks between two. MINELLA SIXO ran into a good horse in Potters Charm at Cheltenham last month and can pick up the winning thread again. The Shantou gelding was no match for Nigel Twiston-Davies' charge then, but that was no disgrace as the winner has gone on to post an impressive Grade 2 win since. Mister Pink is two from four after his bumper and maiden hurdle wins and looks the obvious danger. He was a good winner at Punchestown last month, but needs to step forward from that. Of the two mares, Born Bright may be the one for third.
Prediction : 1st Minella Sixo 2nd Mister Pink 3rd Born Bright

Getting the weight allowance here for being a non-winner may prove the difference for GROOVEYKINDOFLOVE. The Muhtathir mare has been knocking on the door with three runner-up efforts and hasn't done a lot wrong in her last couple of outings. Going a bit further now may help her. Fillusin has also been hitting the crossbar. She is a bumper winner and, as a result, has to give the selection 8lb. Reina Del Mar stayed on well from the last when runner-up on her hurdling debut at Cork and may confirm that form with fourth-placed Meet My Loreley. Joseph O'Brien's charge is entitled to improve a bit up in trip.
Prediction : 1st Grooveykindoflove 2nd Fillusin 3rd Reina Del Mar

WARM IN GOREY made an eyecatching return to hurdling in Punchestown, making up plenty of ground to stay on into second over a similar trip. Trainer Philip Rothwell and jockey Tiernan Power Roche are in a rich vein of form this month. Gordon Elliott's Boston Rover has faced difficult tasks in maiden hurdles, but is one who could have a say on handicap debut. Delias Pet has had a busy November, with victories over flights in Fairyhouse and Gowran Park before a third place off her revised mark at Punchestown, so she has to come under consideration. Make Sunshine and Stowaway Lass are others eyeing prize money.
Prediction : 1st Warm In Gorey 2nd Boston Rover 3rd Delias Pet

ARTHUR'S VICTORY came home fourth in a higher grade at Punchestown last week, which ought to bring her into contention for this handicap hurdle. San Aer would prefer more cut in the ground, but has been in decent form on the Flat and could show up well. It is a long time since Willywampus has been seen over flights but his chasing form merits respect, although the concern is that he certainly appears to prefer fences. Marlpark has to bounce back from being pulled up at Gowran Park, but he did win on his penultimate start in Clonmel. Perhaps the ground caught Romella out when she weakened out of contention at Limerick on Tuesday. Better ground will help, but she may be best watched.
Prediction : 1st Arthurs Victory 2nd San Aer 3rd Willywampus

JARRIVE DE MEE is likely to be an above-average recruit for Willie Mullins. He won his point-to-point at Curraghmore in April and the horse he beat into second has since landed an auction maiden hurdle on racecourse debut at Bellewstown. Jacob's Ladder switches to hurdling after winning his bumper in Down Royal at the start of the month. He is sure to be well schooled for this assignment. Beauforts Storm outran her odds when keeping on for second in a maiden hurdle at Naas and that was a marked improvement on previous performances in this sphere. Therellbguddaysyet was placed in a bumper over further at Listowel in June, so is worth a market check.
Prediction : 1st Jarrive De Mee 2nd Jacobs Ladder 3rd Beauforts Storm