UK Horse Racing Tips: Thurles

FORTY COATS appears to have been found a good opportunity to open his account over hurdles. The Henry de Bromhead-trained gelding won a point-to-point and a bumper before being sent hurdling and has filled the runner-up spot three times behind some useful types. He signed off last season with a fine fourth behind The New Lion at the Cheltenham Festival and hopefully can bounce back after a below-par effort when reappearing at the Leopardstown Christmas meeting. Ifallgoeswell showed promise when placed three times in bumpers and went close over hurdles at Limerick last month, while Loyal Praetorian was in the process of running a big race when falling two out at the same fixture.
Prediction : 1st Forty Coats 2nd Ifallgoeswell 3rd Loyal Praetorian

SEPT ETOILES progressed from his debut run and appreciated the step up to 2m4f when taking a Down Royal maiden. The son of Doctor Dino should relish this extra quarter-mile and has plenty of scope for further improvement. Espresso Milan showed promise in bumpers for Fergal O'Brien and made a successful start over hurdles for his current yard in a 2m Punchestown maiden. He's bred to appreciate this test of stamina and rates a greater threat than Daydream Nation, who won in decisive fashion at Gowran and was placed at Newbury last month.
Prediction : 1st Sept Etoiles 2nd Espresso Milan 3rd Daydream Nation

JAZZY MATTY was second in this race 12 months ago before landing the Grand Annual at the Cheltenham Festival. The Cian Collins-trained gelding is undoubtedly better over fences, but he was a creditable fifth back at Cheltenham in October and remains on a reasonable mark. Eachtotheirown made all on his hurdling debut in a Galway maiden, but found Grade 2 company too hot subsequently at Fairyhouse. Immutable is a useful sort on the Flat and the Cork maiden hurdle winner has further scope for improvement over obstacles. Chichester Park scored over C&D last month and is another for the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Jazzy Matty 2nd Eachtotheirown 3rd Chichester Park

JADE DE GRUGY was high-class over hurdles, winning twice at Grade 1 level including at Punchestown last May, and has performed with credit since going over fences this season. She has come up against some smart mares and put in an improved round of jumping when runner-up to The Big Westerner over an extended 2m6f at the Limerick Christmas meeting. Tareze won twice over hurdles, including a Listed race at Navan, and the point-to-point winner had Stormalong and Femme Magnifique both behind when runner-up to better-fancied stablemate July Flower over fences at Limerick. Ad Caelum is another to consider for minor honours.
Prediction : 1st Jade De Grugy 2nd Tareze 3rd Ad Caelum

BRAVE FORTUNE was beaten 30 lengths on his most recent start, but that was his stable debut and also a first run for 187 days so it is hoped he can step forward considerably. A course winner over hurdles, he is capable on his day and ran well at Tipperary last May before scoring at Roscommon. That Tipperary race has worked out extremely well and a return to slightly better ground will be a big help. Rising Dust incurred a second 15lb hike in the weights for his second successive chase win here last month and now drops in distance. Battle Of Mirbat has been running well in the main and is another to consider.
Prediction : 1st Brave Fortune 2nd Rising Dust 3rd Battle Of Mirbat

Grand veteran APPRECIATE IT has a difficult task at these weights, but won last year's renewal and is retaining his form. Winner of the 2021 Supreme Novices' Hurdle, he was winless for two years prior to scoring 12 months ago and finished last term with a good effort at Sandown. Although now 12, his November course form reads well as he conceded 10lb to the winner, who subsequently landed the Savills Chase. Stablemate and top-rated James Du Berlais ran satisfactorily when last of three at Ascot and is ideally suited by this distance. Gentleman De Mee is closely matched with the selection on Sandown form and is worth a look.
Prediction : 1st Appreciate It 2nd James Du Berlais 3rd Gentleman De Mee

WILLITGOAHEAD won last year's renewal of this race and had a good recent run at Down Royal. A capable type who finished third at the Cheltenham Festival, he is ideally suited by a sound surface and while he disappointed at both Aintree and Punchestown at the end of last season, he bounced back over Christmas when second to another top hunter. Lifetime Ambition finished third in the Aintree Foxhunters' and although now 11, he has held his form and won well at Turtulla in November. Solitary Man is a nice recruit to hunter chasing and has done well in recent point-to-points.
Prediction : 1st Willitgoahead 2nd Lifetime Ambition 3rd Solitary Man