Former jockey Paul Callaghan has you covered with a selection for each race.
THURSDAY’S THURLES TIPS
- 12:18 Might Be The One
- 12:53 Stoneyford Lady
- 13:28 Gortmore Lady
- 14:03 Zambezi Moon
- 14:38 Gunnery Sergeant
- 15:15 Shoda
- 15:48 Liceo
- 15:48 Bowgate Street
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11:43 2m2½f (2m2f55y) Racing Again November 19th Beginners Chase (4yo+)
MIGHT BE THE ONE arrives here on the back of two decent efforts. The daughter of Poet’s Word ran out a comfortable winner of a handicap hurdle over 2m 2f at Downpatrick in September. Despite being a beaten odds-on favourite on her latest outing, I thought that was a good run in what was a steady-run race; things got a little crowded turning for home, and Might Be The One didn’t enjoy the clearest of passages. She’s an imposing mare, and I also don’t think the inner track at Fairyhouse played to her strengths.
Might Be The One has the benefit of point-to-point experience, and I think she can run a big race for trainer Andrew McNamara and jockey Darragh O’Keeffe.
Selection: Might Be The One
12:18 2m2½f (2m2f55y) Horse & Jockey Handicap Chase (4yo+)
STONEYFORD LADY finished a gallant second behind Kilbrin Rocco in a handicap chase over 2m 1f at Killarney when last seen. The pair pulled well clear of the third. She’s not the biggest in the world, but she is tough, and despite a 3lb rise from the handicapper, Stoneyford Lady can go one place better here.
Selection: Stoneyford Lady
12:53 2m5½f (2m5f132y) www.thurlesraces.ie Handicap Chase (4yo+ 0-100)
A case can be made for a number of these, with a few looking to bounce back after disappointing runs in their latest outings.
I am taking a chance on the Ciaran Murphy-trained GORTMORE LADY. When you look at her form, it’s difficult to understand how she remains a maiden under rules after 25 career starts. That was a decent run to finish a staying-on second behind Mount Shenshan over 2m 5f at Clonmel last time out. If she can back that up here, then Gortmore Lady has to enter calculations.
Selection: Gortmore Lady
13:28 2m7f (2m6f176y) Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden Hurdle (4yo+)
ZAMBEZI MOON was a staying-on second behind Reaching High over the extended 2m 2f at Listowel last time out, shaping as though 3m was worth another shot. If he can build on that effort, he could be the answer in a tricky maiden hurdle despite only 7 runners declared.
Selection: Zambezi Moon
14:03 2m4f Maiden Hurdle (4yo+)
Arguably unlucky to bump into Tonightsagoodnight at Sligo last time out, a chance is taken that the Gordon Elliott-trained GUNNERY SERGEANT can shed the maiden tag over hurdles at the eighth attempt. Gunnery Sergeant finished second, a little over 8 lengths behind Tonightsagoodnight with Beeverstown Boy over 4 lengths behind in third. I can’t see why that form should be reversed and I think connections have found a good opportunity for Gunnery Sergeant.
Selection: Gunnery Sergeant
14:38 2m4f Book Your Christmas Party Here On December 19th Mares Handicap Hurdle )
SHODA ran out a comfortable winner of a maiden hurdle over 2m 2f at Downpatrick earlier in the summer and has since run with credit in two valuable handicaps on the flat. The Joseph O’Brien-trained mare should be open to further improvement on only her ninth start over hurdles.
Selection: Shoda
15:15 2m (2m16y) Two-Mile Borris Handicap Hurdle (Div I) (3yo+ 0-100)
LICEO was no match for Granlahan when finishing second in a handicap hurdle over 2m at Fairyhouse last time out. Yet to win over hurdles in 12 attempts, a chance is taken that 2m around Thurles will see Liceo go one place better for trainer Dermot McLoughlin and jockey Paddy O’Hanlon.
Selection: Liceo
15:48 2m (2m16y) Two-Mile Borris Handicap Hurdle (Div II) (3yo+ 0-100)
Although BOWGATE STREET has only one victory to her name from thirty-five starts, she rarely runs a bad race. Her sole success came over 2m 2f at Sligo at the beginning of the summer. She’s been placed on numerous occasions since, including last time out at Sligo, when she finished second behind Finnians Row. Bowgate Street has shown enough form to suggest that she is capable of winning a race of this calibre.
Selection: Bowgate Street
THURLES TIPS
- 11:43 Might Be The One
- 12:18 Stoneyford Lady
- 12:53 Gortmore Lady
- 13:28 Zambezi Moon
- 14:03 Gunnery Sergeant
- 14:38 Shoda
- 15:15 Liceo
- 15:48 Bowgate Street
