UK Horse Racing Tips: Thurles

Owner Kenny Alexander has a strong hand in this and THEATRE NATIVE gets the vote. The Getaway mare has been placed on her two outings over fences to date and the form of both those races looks strong. She was third to Only By Night first time and that mare narrowly lost out in the Arkle earlier this week. Last time she bumped into improver Springt De La Mare and can gain a deserved win now. The Willie Mullins-trained Miss Manzor was fourth in a strong race won by stablemate Zenta last time and is an obvious danger. A Law Of Her Own needs to bounce back from a disappointing run at Leopardstown but is capable.
Prediction : 1st Theatre Native 2nd Miss Manzor 3rd A Law Of Her Own

The decision to keep HIGH CLASS HERO at home this week can reap rewards here. The Brown Advisory at Cheltenham was initially mentioned as the target for the Sulamani gelding after an impressive victory at Punchestown last month. This is obviously an easier assignment and he sets a fair standard off a mark of 148. Stablemate Fun Fun Fun disappointed at Exeter last month but lost a front shoe then and can be forgiven the below-par showing. She had been impressive on her chase debut at Naas and could be the danger now. Prairie Dancer fell early when pitched into Grade 1 company last time and this is a more suitable target now. He's capable of reaching the frame.
Prediction : 1st High Class Hero 2nd Fun Fun Fun 3rd Prairie Dancer

SPINNING WEB may be able to follow up after a good win over course and distance nine days ago. The Mag Mullins-trained gelding appreciated stepping up to this trip then having been narrowly denied over two miles at this venue on his previous visit. Lilian Bland also comes here in winning form, having scored in good style at Navan a fortnight ago. She's versatile ground-wise but her best form is probably on softer. Irish Impulse won twice in November but weakened tamely enough when last seen at Naas in December. After a little break he has to be respected.
Prediction : 1st Spinning Web 2nd Lilian Bland 3rd Irish Impulse

FOLLOWING ORDERS ran a cracker on his racecourse bow at Leopardstown 13 days ago and can open his account now. The Order Of St George gelding got within three-parts of a length of Solsbury Hill then. It wasn't the strongest contest, with the winner rated 100, but this doesn't appear to be the hottest heat either. Free Flow didn't make any impression on the front pair when third at Punchestown last month but it was still a promising enough run and he should play a bigger part now in this company. Slieve Annilog has been given a rating of 112 after three decent enough efforts in strong maiden hurdles. If he runs up to that he'll be a big player.
Prediction : 1st Following Orders 2nd Free Flow 3rd Slieve Annilog

ASTERION FORLONGE can avail of a drop in class for Willie Mullins. Just three runs back he finished second in a Grade 1 staying assignment at last season's Punchestown Festival. He has plenty of form on drying ground and is the choice of Paul Townend. Hewick's runner-up berth in the French Champion Hurdle last May shows what he is capable of in this discipline. He hasn't been at his best in his last couple of outings, although Paddy Hanlon's 7lb claim will help, as will this better ground. Mullins' Kilcruit hasn't troubled the judge in his last few appearances, but has plenty of back class.
Prediction : 1st Asterion Forlonge 2nd Hewick 3rd Kilcruit

SYRACUS DU HOUX has been running in some maiden hurdles won by very useful horses. He has a Punchestown runner-up spot in the book and could have a big say on his handicap debut off a mark of 106. Therellbguddaysyet has to bounce back from a below-par effort over a shorter trip at Gowran Park, but that is feasible. He won a maiden hurdle on his last visit to this track in November. Slim Marvel has been in decent nick since December and could lay down a challenge. The suspicion is that there is another victory in Duke Silver's locker, while Milanaway is one to consider too.
Prediction : 1st Syracus Du Houx 2nd Therellbguddaysyet 3rd Slim Marvel

There are a couple of newcomers in here with notable Flat speed in their pedigrees. Joseph O'Brien takes the wraps off GALILEO SAND, who made six figures at the sales. He is a half-brother to a Group 1 winner and looks sure to appreciate this decent ground. Paddy Twomey unleashes Eagle Of Destiny, who is a half-sister to an Irish St Leger winner so has to be given plenty of respect in this discipline. Old Bridge starts out for Gordon Elliott and Robcour and ought to be one of the leading protagonists. Pat Doyle has won this race before and his Tim Toe is worth a market check.
Prediction : 1st Galileo Sand 2nd Eagle Of Destiny 3rd Old Bridge