UK Horse Racing Tips: Thurles

QUALIMITA has largely disappointed since being picked up for 500,000 euros, following a point-to-point success in 2023. She has shown ability, though, and can get off the mark on her seasonal return. A 30-length winner of her point, she has been overturned three times as an odds-on favourite subsequently. However, she has twice been placed at Listed level and was unlucky when falling at Tramore in April. The in-from Run For Mahler is consistent and should benefit from her recent hurdling debut at Listowel, so she ought to figure despite having to shoulder a penalty. Cailin Deas has useful bumper form in the book and enters calculations, while Stepdance is also noted.
Prediction : 1st Qualimita 2nd Run For Mahler 3rd Cailin Deas

WING BACK landed a gamble to win at Downpatrick in August and as he remains open to improvement, he should be competitive. He wasn't beaten far at that same course later in the month, before falling at Clonmel recently. Being just a five-year-old, he might continue to progress and forecast ground conditions should suit. Courtbrack Boy ran well on his handicap debut at Listowel last month and can also progress. Bite That found improvement over fences last season, but has won just once from 24 previous hurdle runs.
Prediction : 1st Wing Back 2nd Courtbrack Boy 3rd Bite That

NELSON MUNTZ (third) finished behind Tassarolo (second) at Killarney recently but a step up in trip, coupled with the return to a right-handed track, should suit him better. The pair were separated by four-and-a-half lengths lengths that day (with Ask The Bookie in third) but the selection surrendered some ground by jumping to his right on a few occasions. Lambay Island returns from a 213-day absence and will need more to come out on top.
Prediction : 1st Nelson Muntz 2nd Tassarolo 3rd Lambay Island

Race conditions ought to suit ADDITIONAL TIME, who might return to form in this weak contest. Placed on his pointing debut before easily defeating a subsequent hurdles winner at Punchestown in February 2024, he was later sold for 160,000 pounds. He was absent for 464 days prior to making his first start under Rules at Listowel in June, where he hung badly left. His latest Wexford performance was more encouraging, though, and connections will be hopeful he can build on that effort. Heron's Butler was still in contention when unseating two out at Clonmel recently and while more reliable than the selection, it is possible he lacks the same ability. Point-to-point-placed Tsavo Park was well held at Fontwell last month.
Prediction : 1st Additional Time 2nd Herons Butler 3rd Tsavo Park

HEWICK has multiplied his initial 850-euro purchase price by a thousand times and more to achieve 888,000 euros in career earnings, and has perfect conditions for today's seasonal return. Winner of the 2023 King George, he has bagged many big-race wins in a stellar career and, while well beaten in both the Grand National and at Auteuil last May, he had earlier scored over 2m6f here in March. He relishes good ground and, with his riders' 7lb claim, has bottom weight. In-form Run For Oscar has a big fitness edge and is suited by conditions, but has plenty to find with Hewick. Moon D'Orange won a Grade 3 Cheltenham chase last January but should struggle to score here.
Prediction : 1st Hewick 2nd Run For Oscar 3rd Moon Dorange

SALLAP benefitted from dropping down the ratings when scoring at Clonmel and might confirm placings with that races's runner-up Great Bird. The pint-sized selection's prior form had been ordinary but, while penalised 10lb for winning, she had been rated 87 only last May. Today's 7lb claimer gives her a weight-edge over Great Bird, who is penalised 4lb. Cathys Quest returned with blood at both nostrils following her blundering exit at Listowel last month and if she returns to Ballinrobe form in July, when she finished ahead of today's selection, she would play a big part. Ladies Well was well beaten at Listowel but had been hampered three-out.
Prediction : 1st Sallap 2nd Great Bird 3rd Cathys Quest

GET IT GIRL is from a very successful family and can make a winning debut. The Jukebox Jury mare is related to six bumper winners, including smart performers Blackstairmountain and Mt Leinster, and starts off in what appears a very winnable contest. The fitting of a tongue-tie is a slight concern but not enough to make her opposable. Long Goodbye represents a trainer who is well capable of winning bumpers with debutants and the Motivator gelding is a half-brother to a 1m4f winner in France. Press The Button showed only a hint of ability in two point-to-points but is out of a Listed bumper winner and merits respect on his first start under Rules.
Prediction : 1st Get It Girl 2nd Long Goodbye 3rd Press The Button