UK Horse Racing Tips: Thurles

Despite finishing tailed off on her latest start at Naas in January, KARAMOJA is afforded another chance. Easily the best of these over hurdles, the Willie Mullins-trained six-year-old was good enough to reach the frame at Grade 1 level as a novice last year. Far from disgraced when sixth at Fairyhouse on her chasing debut before Christmas, it is fair to assume that something was amiss last time. Provided she is back to anything like her best here, the daughter of Masked Marvel should have too much for point-to-point winner Fancy Girl and Stormalong.
Prediction : 1st Karamoja 2nd Fancy Girl 3rd Stormalong

FLEUR IN THE PARK can land this valuable prize for local trainer Andrew Slattery. Grade 1 placed over hurdles as a novice last season, the Walk In The Park gelding has taken really well to fences this term. Just touched off in stronger company at Punchestown when last seen, the seven-year-old can regain the winning thread. Soldier In Milan rates the main danger. Off the mark in a Punchestown bumper on his Rules debut, connections wasted little time in switching him to chasing. Having made the breakthrough over fences last time, the Emmet Mullins-trained gelding commands respect. Jalila Moriviere and C'Est Ta Chance also have a squeak.
Prediction : 1st Fleur In The Park 2nd Soldier In Milan 3rd Jalila Moriviere

Fairyhouse runner-up OUR BOY ROCKY can go one better for the in-form Liam Cusack stable. Well backed when finding just the one too good last time, the eight-year-old gave the impression that he could be nicely treated over fences. Off the mark over hurdles at Cork last time, former point-to-point winner Wyoming Baby has to be a contender reverting to fences. Live To Laugh is also worthy of consideration having shaped with promise at Cork in January.
Prediction : 1st Our Boy Rocky 2nd Wyoming Baby 3rd Live To Laugh

ARSLAN has been odds-on when finding one too good on his last two starts, but is taken to get the job done now. The Flat-bred was a creditable third at this track on his hurdling debut and his official rating of 120 sets the standard. Despite the fact he will be more suited by better ground later in the spring, he can land an ordinary contest. Front-runner Kentucky Beach was below-par last time and has a few pounds to find on ratings, but his solid handicap form makes him the main danger. Fixios shaped well over 2m4f on his only outing over hurdles and is open to improvement.
Prediction : 1st Arslan 2nd Kentucky Beach 3rd Fixios

Jack Kennedy rode WESTERN WALK for the first time at Navan last month and Jonathan Sweeney's nine-year-old ran creditably in a Grade 2 contest over fences. Kennedy is again in the plate and his mount, who has run to a decent level in a novice chasing campaign this term, merits plenty of respect on this return to hurdling. If he can reproduce his form in competitive handicaps, he can get the better of Timeless Treaty, who has shown useful course form recently and now steps back up in trip. Amirite and Blizzard Of Oz look opposable on recent form.
Prediction : 1st Western Walk 2nd Timeless Treaty 3rd Blizzard Of Oz

From an in-form stable, JISCO DU BREM is a hopeful choice on his handicap debut. The seven-year-old won a good-ground bumper last summer but his trainer feels he'll handle softer conditions and his first run over hurdles, in a strong maiden at Galway in October, was promising. Lough Nigara can be tricky at the start but has been most consistent when consenting to jump off, and blinkers are now tried on the nine-year-old. A useful chaser when trained by the Moores in the UK, Jupiter Du Gite went well for a long way when fourth at Navan and is another for the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Jisco Du Brem 2nd Lough Nigara 3rd Jupiter Du Gite

Some promising types from top yards make this a competitive affair, with Willie Mullins' LOOKING FOR EIGHT getting the vote. A half-brother to dual bumper winner and smart novice hurdler Sortudo, he was second to a useful prospect at Limerick at a time when many stable runners were needing their seasonal debuts. Point-to-point winner Thinkitdontjinxit made a bold bid from the front until headed close home here last month, while Seven Towers travelled well when third at Fairyhouse and collateral formlines involving the winner would give him a decent chance.
Prediction : 1st Looking For Eight 2nd Thinkitdontjinxit 3rd Seven Towers