Thurles preview
Wednesday, 18 November 2009 13:46Thurles stages a seven-race fixture and Willie Mullins gives the highly-regarded Sports Line his first outing over fences in the opening thurlesraces.ie Beginners Chase.
After scoring first time out in a Punchestown bumper, the six-year-old showed progressive form over hurdles and was last seen trouncing a useful field at Naas in March.
This may prove a mere stepping stone to greater things, but he'll need to be sharp enough to see off the likes of Bob Lingo and decent mare Oligarch Society.
Just six go to post for the INH Stallion Owners EBF Novice Hurdle but it could be an informative heat.
Danderry broke his duck over jumps at Down Royal earlier in the month and Paul Flynn's rangy gelding could take some beating, despite a weight penalty.
An Toileanach is the main danger having found only top prospect Dunguib too strong on his first foray over timber at Galway last month.
Like Danderry, the point-to-point winner looks every inch a chaser in the making, but he seems sure to make his presence felt in this code before too long.
Dooneys Gate looks on a confidence-boosting mission in the Clonoulty Hurdle, having unshipped Ruby Walsh in a Tramore chase back in April, and he could prove too good for Smoking Aces, whose only blip came at Punchestown in May.
Jessie Harrington's Colleoni ran a promising race in the Leopardstown November Handicap and looks poised to run well in the Cahir Maiden Hurdle, while the yard will be hoping Fond Of A Drop can recapture his best form in the Templemore Handicap Chase.
The Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Hurdle won't take much winning and Uncommited rates a leading player despite a 4lb rise for her recent third at Down Royal.
The Liscahill INH Flat Race concludes the card and The Mettle Man is expected to step up on his encouraging debut performance at Listowel.
