Hi all,
A midweek treat for punters today with the valuable Goffs Thyestes Handicap Chase (2:50) being run at Gowran Park this afternoon. It looks cracker of a race and real winter warmer.
There’s also a decent card at Huntingdon with a Mares’ Listed Chase and Pertemps Hurdle Series Qualifier the highlights of a seven-race card.
Gowran Park
The ground at Gowran Park is being described as heavy on Wednesday so stamina will be at a premium this afternoon.
The Gowran Park undercard includes Grade 2 Galmoy Hurdle (2:15) which sees the seasonal return of Monkfish. The formerly smart chaser/hurdler had just two starts last season after returning from a 713-day break with his best performance coming in the first them.
Monkfish faces just five rivals, and they include likely favourite Thedevilscoachman and Farouk D’alene. Both the latter pair are set to race in the first time cheekpieces and have strong claims.
2:50 – Goffs Thyestes Handicap Chase (Grade 3) – 3m 1f
Dunboyne was a short head second in last year race and was a solid 4th of 20 in the Troytwon Handicap Chase at Navan on his seasonal return. He’s not always the most reliable of horses but has strong claims once more.
I would also give a good chance to one of Dunboyne’s stablemates Fakir D’alene. He was third in the Troytown before being bought down at the fifth in the Paddy Power at Leopardstown. Danny Gilligan takes off a handy 5lb.
Stormy Judge caught the eye when 5th of 20 over hurdles at Leopardstown over Christmas. This is the 9-year-old’s first start over fences since pulling up in the 2022 Scottish Grand National (13/2 Co fav). I think he’s on a good mark and will like the testing ground. He’s been well backed in the last few days.
Henry De Bromhead saddles a couple of live contenders in Aint That A Shame and Shantreusse. The first named pulled up in the Troytown (8/1) last time. He goes well in the mud and he’s better than he was able to show last time. Rachel Blackmore seemingly favours him over Shantreusse but I wouldn’t be quick to rule out the latter. The 8-year-old hasn’t fulfilled his potential over fences, but he ran well over an inadequate 2m 4 ½ f on his seasonal return and mark of 133 looks workable.
Glengouly looks the pick of the Willie Mullins runners. A good second at Limerick on his seasonal reappearance. He takes a big step up in trip here but is very much unexposed over 3m+. I wouldn’t rule out stablemate Ontheropes. He was off the track for nearly two years before pulling in the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown last time and will be sharper here.
Verdict: It’s a race where you could easily have a three-pronged attack. Dunboyne, Fakir D’alene and Stormy Judge were my three early fancies for the race, and they remain high on my shortlist. Albeit, I have missed the big prices on Stormy Judge. The Henry De Bromhead pair of Aint That A Shame and Shantreusse are hard to split and they both have strong claims.
Huntingdon
There’s a fair card at Huntingdon. The Listed Pertemps Network Lady Protectress Mares’ Chase (3.10) is the highlight of a seven-race card which also hosts a competitive Pertemps Hurdle Series qualifier (3:45). Connections of White Rhino will be hoping that they can qualify the 8-year-old for the series final at the Festival. However, they seem to have landed on the most competitive qualifier we’ve seen this season. Steal A March didn’t get competitive on seasonal reappearance over 2m 4f but better ground and return to 3m 1f will see the 9-year-old in a much better light.
Irish challenger Brides Hill is a short-priced favourite for the mares’ chase. The 7-year-old looked better than ever when making it two from two this season when landing a mares’ only handicap chase at Fairyhouse last month. She’s fine on a sounder surface and is the one to beat. Her trainer Gavin Cromwell is 0-27 in the last 14 days which is a slight concern if you’re taking short odds about her. Pink Legend looks her biggest rival on official ratings, but she might prefer further 2m 4f. Lady Adare won a Worcester novice on her chase debut and then finished runner-up to Knappers Hill in a Grade 2 at Wincanton. Shaped like something was amiss when pulling up at Exeter just 9 days ago. Each way claims if she bounces back to her Wincanton form.
Betting Advice:
Ultimately, I opted for a three-pronged attack in the Thyestes, with an additional selection from Huntingdon.
Gowran Park
2:50 – Dunboyne – 1pt win – 6/1 @ Bet365, Fakir D’alene – 1pt win – 8/1 @ Bet365 & Ladbrokes and Stormy Judge – 1pt win – 11/1 @ Bet365
Huntingdon
3:45 – Steal A March – 1pt win – 7/1 @ Bet365.
The above are minimum odds. You will get better on the exchanges. Although he is a selection, I will be looking for 15/2 & bigger about Steal A March
Keep an eye on your inboxes for any Friday selections. In the event of none, I’ll be back with picks on Saturday.
Cheers
John