UK Horse Racing Tips: Thurles

BEGGARS ROCK was a touch unlucky on his chase debut at Cork back in December and may be able to strike back over the larger obstacles now. The Soldier Of Fortune gelding had just come to lead at the last in Cork when pecking on landing and eventually finishing a close third. He has won over hurdles since but was below par on his last outing over timber at Punchestown. Spinning Web only lost out by a head in handicap company last time and the 110-rated performer should have a big shout in a race confined to horses on that mark or less over hurdles. The 109 rated Vaureal is another for the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Beggars Rock 2nd Spinning Web 3rd Vaureal

The Gordon Elliott-trained WELCOME BACK has already shown strong 'track' form and could prove the one to beat here. The Getaway gelding was third in a Navan maiden hurdle just over a year ago and justified favourtism in a Tinahely maiden in January. He was probably value for a bit more than the winning margin then having made a mistake at the last. Magic Sadler looks the likely danger after a convincing win in a 'winners of one' at Bellharbour early last month. He had one of today's rivals, Fountain House, behind in fourth when chasing home Milan Forth in a Clonmel hunter chase back in January.
Prediction : 1st Welcome Back 2nd Magic Sadler 3rd Fountain House

Not the strongest maiden hurdle and YORADREAMER looks like the obvious one to beat. The Willie Mullins-trained gelding was no match for Addragoole on his hurdling debut at Clonmel last month but it was a solid effort in second and with natural improvement he should prove hard to beat now. He had Mister Box back in fourth then and can confirm those placings. Joueuse Royale had a couple of nice runs over timber last summer/autumn. The form of her hurdling debut, when third to Expound at Tramore, has worked out fairly well.
Prediction : 1st Yoradreamer 2nd Mister Box 3rd Joueuse Royale

COWPER HALL catches the eye here on his first outing for Gavin Cromwell. He ran a nice race when third on his handicap debut at Down Royal for previous connections and the Affinisea gelding has been snapped up since. Kp's Ladyofknock could be the danger. She hasn't enjoyed the best of luck in races since winning at Clonmel in December. She was carried out at Fairyhouse subsequently and wasn't helped by a loose horse last time when third in Down Royal. She may be able to turn the tables now on Prince Quattro, who won that race at Down Royal and went up 8lb.
Prediction : 1st Cowper Hall 2nd Kps Ladyofknock 3rd Prince Quattro

STRETCHEMOUT is fitted with a tongue-tie and cheekpieces now and may be able to make her mark in this company. The point-to-point winner has shown some promise in three outings under Rules to date and has been given a mark of 102. With her mares allowance here she is entitled to play a big part. The handicapper has given Washington Parks a rating of 110 after three runs in strong maiden hurdles and if he can run up to that he has a big chance. The Henry de Bromhead-trained Mack The Chemist hasn't been far away in his three hurdle runs and is another for the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Stretchemout 2nd Washington Parks 3rd Mack The Chemist

BETTY DUTTON has been knocking on the door recently and may be able to get her head in front again now on this better surface. The Frozen Fire mare won her maiden hurdle on good ground a few years ago and seems fairly versatile. She has been runner-up on her last two outings and is only a couple of pounds higher than when chasing home Lucky Viv at Punchestown last month. Crossing The Bar comes here in winning form, having scored at Catterick last month, and is an obvious danger. Machismo ran a solid race on his handicap debut at Gowran last time and is another to consider.
Prediction : 1st Betty Dutton 2nd Crossing The Bar 3rd Machismo

SUNSET BOULEVARD may be able to make a winning start for Willie Mullins. The Wings Of Eagles gelding is a half-brother to talented chaser Jungle Boogie, a Grade 3 winner over fences and a lively outsider for some of the big contests at Cheltenham next week. Riskaway is an interesting contender on his first start for Gordon Elliott. The No Risk At All gelding was bought by Gigginstown after finishing fourth in his point-to-point. Joseph O'Brien's newcomer Le Labo is one to note in the market. The Mount Nelson gelding is a half-brother to 14-time winner Presentandcounting.
Prediction : 1st Sunset Boulevard 2nd Riskaway 3rd Le Labo