UK Horse Racing Tips: Thurles

BRANDT has been running well in Ireland this summer and although a lazy type, is ideally suited by this stamina test. He failed to capitalise on a lower hurdles rating at Down Royal last month but did, eventually, finish that race quite well, suggesting this extra distance will suit. Previously he was an unlucky loser of a Sligo chase and is helped by good ground. Malinas Glory has been raised 6lb for a recent course win but again has underfoot conditions and a staying distance in his favour. Walk In Time ran well on chase debut over course-and-distance last month, with that race's winner scoring again subsequently. She debuts in a handicap chase and stays well.
Prediction : 1st Brandt 2nd Malinas Glory 3rd Walk In Time

A chance is taken that PRINCE ZALTAR, who is wearing first-time cheekpieces, will be ready following a year off, as he is well handicapped in this sphere. This three-time winner was runner-up in an Aintree hurdle off a mark of 121 last December, he has competed in just two chases but finished a good second on his latest effort and is well suited by conditions. His trainer also runs That's About Right, who won here last month when taking advantage of front-running favourite Boldog bursting a blood vessel. Nonetheless, That's About Right showed ability and had previously done well over hurdles. Prairie Dancer has conditions in his favour but has top weight, while Prince Of Air won a lesser race here last month.
Prediction : 1st Prince Zaltar 2nd Thats About Right 3rd Prairie Dancer

MAGIC DAY ran reasonably well last month and contests a winnable race. A sister to the Cheltenham Festival-placed Magic Daze and a runner-up on her point-to-point debut, that recent Navan form is largely unexciting but she nonetheless finished ahead of plenty rivals and today's ground conditions suit. Debut points winner Tumuch disappointed in a bumper last March before returning with a useful third-placed effort in November. However, he again disappointed when fading tamely, albeit in a smart race, at Punchestown just 11 days ago, so has something to prove. The consistent, 106-rated Bayrann ran well in both a useful course maiden in November and at Punchestown more recently, but is held by Tumuch on November form.
Prediction : 1st Magic Day 2nd Tumuch 3rd Bayrann

ROYAL HOLLOW has been running well in Graded races recently and might turn around Down Royal November placings with Sansrisk and win. Thoroughly consistent, the selection is ideally suited by good ground and while closely matched with Sansrisk on two previous meetings, is 7lb better off today than when beaten over three lengths by that rival last month. Sansrisk was well held at Newbury most recently but is herself generally consistent. The well-bred Dream On Baby caused an upset when scooting clear to score over course-and-distance last month and while she faces battle-hardened rivals, is open to vast improvement being a four-year-old. Cottesloe Sunshine has good recent form and should be competitive, while C&D winner Beauforts Storm steps up in grade.
Prediction : 1st Royal Hollow 2nd Dream On Baby 3rd Sansrisk

IF YOU LET ME has obvious claims in a big-field handicap, having run well in a similar race at Punchestown last month. A point-to-point winner, he has also shown useful ability on the Flat, over hurdles and over fences, and being suited by good ground, he should again compete from his rating. Galway regular Wee Charlie was touched off on his most recent run in October and while raised 3lb since, today's rider claims 5lb and he can also get competitive. Four-year-old Jeaniemacaroney is another with solid recent form, while Unklipped steps up in grade having won here last month. Top-weight Little Mixup has lost confidence recently but is a previous C&D winner.
Prediction : 1st If You Let Me 2nd Wee Charlie 3rd Unklipped

DRUMGILL tackled fences with gusto when scoring over a similar trip here last month and has a low weight reverting to hurdles. In a very busy year which began in March, he rattled off a summer hat-trick and while his form later dipped, he defeated a 140-rated hurdler on his chase debut recently with the step-up in distance appearing to suit. Millforce is consistent and stays well but has plenty weight, while Brave Fortune has some reasonable form and steps up in distance. Sequoiaspirit won a recent handicap and should again beo competitive, while Grooveykindoflove received weight from the runner-up when readily scoring over C&D last month and faces a stiffer task here. Triple bumper winner Takt De Touques won recently at Sedgefield.
Prediction : 1st Drumgill 2nd Millforce 3rd Grooveykindoflove

BLUE VELVET showed ability in a point-to-point and has since joined leading connections. By Constitution Hill's sire Blue Bresil and a half-sister to seven-time winner Stoner's Choice, she was running a big race on points debut when unseating rider at the final fence at Borris House in April and was subsequently sold to new owners for 170,000 euro. Newcomer Arctic Flame is a sister to the Champion Hurdle-placed Arctic Fire and it is also encouraging that she contests a bumper on debut, with Finny Maguire being a positive booking. Music Of Life has shown useful ability, while Derryville has form but was well held by the winner on both her bumper starts. Points winner Menas Miracle wears a tongue-tie on bumper debut.
Prediction : 1st Blue Velvet 2nd Arctic Flame 3rd Music Of Life