Hi all,
There is no “Path To Cheltenham” this week. It’s not often we get a big race in midweek at this stage of the jumps season. So today were in for a bit of treat with the latest renewal of Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park. I preview today’s big race inside the main piece.
Gowran Park
3:05 – Goffs Thyestes Handicap Chase (Grade A) – 3m 1f
A cracker of a renewal. Gordon Elliot bids for a third success in the race since 2018. The best of his five contenders look to be Braeside, Escaria Ten and Death Duty.
Braeside, won the Cork Grand National on his handicap debut/seasonal return and put in a career best in defeat when a 5 ¾ length 4th of 28 in the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown last time. Has a to be a big contender here of just 2lb higher.
Stablemate Death Duty was one place and 1 ½ length behind Braeside in the Paddy Power. That was the 11-year-old’s first start for 13 months. Each way claims but vulnerable to younger legs.
Escaria Ten makes his seasonal return and will enjoy the soft ground. The 8-year-old was a very useful novice chaser last season, putting in arguably a personal best when a 3-length 3rd of 12 Galvin in the National Hunt Chase at last season’s Festival. Competitive mark, if ready to roll won’t be far away.
Longhouse Poet has been the gamble of the race. The 8-year-old shaped with plenty of promise over an inadequate 2m3 ½ f at Limerick over Christmas. He stays 3m 1f and better can be expected and the softer the ground the better.
Eklat De Rire was sent off the 3/1 favourite for the Ladbroke Trophy but ran no sort of race and was beaten when pulling up before the 17th. Remains capable of better than he was able to show at Newbury and the 8-year-old will appreciate the return to softer ground here.
Ex Patriot was a 10-length 4th in this race in 2020. The 9-year-old has only had two starts since that run and is another with each way claims racing in the first time cheekpieces.
Verdict: I’m concentrating on those at the front of the betting with both Braeside and Eklat De Rire high on the shortlist. Longhouse Poet is on a good mark but the price has now gone. Some bookies are offering six places and Ex Patriot looks the best of those at big odds.
1pt win – Braeside – 13/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
0.5pts each way – Ex Patriot -22/1 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook (both paying 6 places ¼ odds)
Cheers
John