UK Horse Racing Tips: Thurles

Willie Mullins saddles Fishery Lane and Toad Hall, with Paul Townend opting to partner the former. Pulled up on his last two starts, he is difficult to back with any great confidence. In truth, it's hard to be overly confident about any of these, with many of the main protagonists returning from breaks. Two from three at the venue, it might be worth siding with the race-fit RUSHMOUNT. Fifth in a stronger contest at Down Royal last month, it'll be disappointing if he's not involved towards the business end. Starting off over fences, Eagle Fang and Kurasso Blue are sure to have plenty of supporters, with the former running some fine races in defeat last season.
Prediction : 1st Rushmount 2nd Eagle Fang 3rd Kurasso Blue

SAYITFIRST is in the form of her life at present. Successful at Sligo early last month and beaten just a short head on recent starts at Tramore and Down Royal, she would be a deserving winner of this competitive affair. A C&D runner-up on her first start over fences, Stoneyford Lady is an obvious danger. A half-sister to Captain Guinness, it'll be disappointing if this Henry de Bromhead-trained six-year-old isn't involved towards the business end. Tell Nobody Nothin might be suited by the drop in trip and it'll come as no surprise if he manages to get involved. Barry Connell's Farrokh, the long-absent Listenheretomejack, Clonmel third Baltinglass Hill and the first-time-blinkered Stily are others for the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Sayitfirst 2nd Stoneyford Lady 3rd Tell Nobody Nothin

Clearly appreciating the step up in trip when successful here, FOUND A DIAMOND might be able to follow up. The five-year-old will again be ridden by Shane Markey, who claims a valuable 7lb. One of two Harry Kelly-trained representatives in the line-up, Nelson Muntz sets the standard with a mark of 117. Upped in trip after finishing fourth on his latest outing, he was a long way in front of Heron's Butler when they clashed at Kilbeggan in September. Pulled up and subsequently found to be lame when last seen over 11 months ago, point-to-point winner Melbourne Shamrock is of definite interest, while St Lawrence's Well and William Tell are others capable of making an impact.
Prediction : 1st Found A Diamond 2nd Nelson Muntz 3rd Melbourne Shamrock

Triumph Hurdle fifth PLACE DE LA NATION should be too strong for this opposition. Third on her only start in her native France, the Willie Mullins-trained filly ran a big race on her stable debut when runner-up behind a well-fancied stablemate at Fairyhouse in February. Clearly benefitting from that outing, the daughter of Masked Marvel belied odds of 100/1 when beaten four lengths at the Cheltenham Festival and it will be a surprise if she can't make the breakthrough on this occasion. Grade 3-placed in a bumper, Divaboriva ran well on her most recent outing over timber when second to a smart prospect at Cork. Holly Brook will need to improve from her hurdling debut, but cannot be discounted.
Prediction : 1st Place De La Nation 2nd Divaboriva 3rd Holly Brook

An impressive winner on his handicap debut at Punchestown, POURQUOI POI can follow up. Stepping up to this trip for the first time, the Paul Flynn-trained four-year-old led before the last and went clear on the run-in. Despite being hit with an 11lb hike, he could easily be ahead of the handicapper and it is surely significant that Jack Kennedy, who was on board last time, remains loyal. Dairy Force shaped well enough when runner-up at Clonmel to suggest he can be competitive off a mark of 102. A former maiden hurdle winner, the Liam O'Brien-trained gelding is lightly raced. Cathryns Ruby would also have claims on her recent Wexford win.
Prediction : 1st Pourquoi Poi 2nd Dairy Force 3rd Cathryns Ruby

The Henry De Bromhead-trained LAMBAY ISLAND can make a winning start in handicap company. A lightly-raced son of Harzand, the five-year-old improved on previous form when third over track and trip and he appears to hold strong claims under Darragh O'Keeffe. Beaten the minimum distance at Cork earlier this month, Plunkett Street has to be respected. A dual winner on the Flat, the seven-year-old remains unexposed in this discipline. Placed on his two most recent starts, C&D winner Down Around has to be given serious consideration.
Prediction : 1st Lambay Island 2nd Plunkett Street 3rd Down Around

Clonmel winner NO BIG DEAL could be capable of following up under top weight. Raised 6lb for that narrow success, the Charles O'Brien-trained gelding has a mark of 65 on the Flat, so it is unlikely that a 99 rating is beyond him over hurdles. An impressive winner here, Destivelle has to be considered for the Ciaran Murphy yard. A 9lb hike may not be insurmountable given the ease with which the mare scored on her latest outing. Bringsty has yet to win over flights but is seriously well handicapped if putting it all together.
Prediction : 1st No Big Deal 2nd Destivelle 3rd Bringsty

A bumper winner here in March, LE LABO can strike on his first start over hurdles. Although subsequently well beaten in a Grade 2 race at Aintree, that run was unquestionably too bad to be true. Sent off 4/1 on that occasion, his shrewd connections were obviously expecting a decent effort. Off the track since that contest in April, the five-year-old can get his career back on track. Dual bumper scorer Minella Emperor has to be a strong contender, while Holy See sets a fair standard of those already boasting hurdling experience.
Prediction : 1st Le Labo 2nd Minella Emperor 3rd Holy See