UK Horse Racing Tips: Thurles

Exciting chase recruit SALVATOR MUNDI debuts in a race in which his trainer has won five of the last six renewals. The five-year-old has finished well held at two Cheltenham Festivals, but is high-class at his best and his free-going style should suit two-mile chasing. The winner of a maiden hurdle by 62 lengths, he should again score by a wide margin if jumping soundly. Kappa Jy Pyke was outclassed twice at Grade 1 level last season, while another of the selection's stablemates - Sainte Tartare - was Listed-placed in April.
Prediction : 1st Salvator Mundi 2nd Kappa Jy Pyke 3rd Sainte Tartare

AFFORDALE FURY is a smart performer and has come back to his best this season. Runner-up at 150/1 in the 2023 Albert Bartlett, he missed 438 days prior to returning for only one run last term and, this season, has run two solid races. He chased home Envoi Allen at Grade 1 level at Down Royal and is the clear pick on today's adjusted ratings. Appreciate It, winner of the 2021 Supreme Novices' Hurdle, rolled back the years to beat stablemate Classic Getaway here in January. Age isn't on his side, but he might confirm that form and is Paul Townend's pick.
Prediction : 1st Affordale Fury 2nd Appreciate It 3rd Classic Getaway

RISING DUST has progressed well and reverts to fences from a favourable rating. A well-supported winner at both Listowel and Punchestown, he finished well beaten at Clonmel most recently but was possibly unsuited by testing ground. He often hits a flat spot and was well held on his most recent chases last year, but has a light weight and competes on a suitably sound surface. The reappearing Sammy Smart was down the field at the Punchestown Festival, but had previously shown form and is interesting on his handicap chase debut under a 5lb claimer, being rated 10lb higher over hurdles. Midnight Moonshine has been running consistently well.
Prediction : 1st Rising Dust 2nd Sammy Smart 3rd Midnight Moonshine

ARSLAN showed nice ability in a smart bumper in February and will be ready for this reappearance. A rare jumper by top Flat sire Wootton Bassett, he was purchased for 180,000 euros following his debut in a Tralee point-to-point and although nicely held at Fairyhouse subsequently, that race is working out well. Riskaway has good recent form and finished fourth at the Punchestown Festival in May. He also has point-to-point experience and should compete. Le Kap ran well over hurdles at Clonmel recently, but is vulnerable to smart types.
Prediction : 1st Arslan 2nd Riskaway 3rd Le Kap

This looks like a nice opportunity for MUSIC OF LIFE to get her head in front. The Walk In The Park mare has been runner-up three times over timber, including twice in handicap company. Her mark of 102 is probably good enough to land a race of this standard. Daboya has to give the selection a nice bit of weight, having won on the Flat. She was fourth in a strong mares' maiden hurdle at Listowel and has to be respected, despite carrying her penalty. Crohan Lady had some nice runs in bumpers and won a point-to-point. She's another for the shortlist on her hurdling debut.
Prediction : 1st Music Of Life 2nd Daboya 3rd Crohan Lady

French import LE DIVIN ENFANT can make a successful start for Willie Mullins. The Saint Des Saints gelding was fourth to Grade 1 winner Lulamba on his sole outing over hurdles in his native land and this looks a nice spot to make an impression on his Irish debut. Maxwell Smart ran a solid enough race to finish third at Down Royal at the start of the month and might be the one to give him most to do here. Glenrush Bay showed some promise when sixth at Cork just four days ago and could figure in a race where there doesn't appear to be a lot of strength in depth.
Prediction : 1st Le Divin Enfant 2nd Maxwell Smart 3rd Glenrush Bay

COWPER HALL has been knocking on the door and can make the breakthrough. The five-year-old has been placed on his three starts since joining Gavin Cromwell, most recently when chasing home St Denis's Well in a competitive event at Navan 11 days ago. He got a 4lb rise for that effort, but this looks like a slightly easier task. King Bob showed improvement when third on his second handicap outing at Tramore and could be a danger off a low weight. Gino Bella returns to the track after a point-to-point win and is another to note.
Prediction : 1st Cowper Hall 2nd King Bob 3rd Gino Bella

FREDDIE ROBDAL was just denied here a week ago and may be able to gain compensation off the same mark. The Henry de Bromhead-trained gelding just failed by a short head to peg back Hillstar Blues, with the front two pulling a few lengths clear. He is 4lb well-in compared to future handicap hurdles. San Aer also comes into this off the back of a good runner-up effort, on the Flat at Galway. He is on a competitive mark over timber and could be the danger. Harry's Dream ran a solid enough race when fifth at Gowran and may be place material.
Prediction : 1st Freddie Robdal 2nd San Aer 3rd Harrys Dream