Crowds will be flocking to Gowran Park for their biggest meeting of the year this Thursday, and we’ve picked out four Thyestes Chase day tips for punters to consider.
Equine legends like Arkle and Flyingbolt have landed the feature event over three miles and a furlong, along with subsequent Grand National winners Hedgehunter, Numbersixvalverde and last year’s Aintree hero Nick Rockett.
Thursday Gowran Racing Tips
Gowran Park 13:45 Tip
GOWRAN PARK 13:45 – GERRI COLOMBE
We’re starting out by hoping that a switch back to smaller obstacles in the Grade Two John Mulhern Galmoy Hurdle can spark Gordon Elliott’s 2024 Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up back to life. Gerri Colombe is a five-time Grade One winner over fences but returned to action after more than a year on the sidelines with a lacklustre effort in the Savills Chase.
Elliott felt the 10-year-old was uncomfortable on the good ground at Leopardstown but reported this week that “he seems well at home” and will add on cheekpieces to sharpen him up. The Cullentra House handler, who claimed this race with Teahupoo three years ago in the same Robcour colours, said: “Jack (Kennedy) just thought he backed off a little bit.
“I told him not to knock him about, and he’s come out of the race fine; he had a full MOT at the vets, so we’ll go back over hurdles and see if we can get his spark back.”
Gerri Colombe to win 13:45 Gowran Park
Gowran Park 14:55 Tip
GOWRAN PARK 14:55 – BUTCH CASSIDY
Henry De Bromhead’s charge hasn’t tasted success since kicking off his career with point-to-point and maiden hurdle wins, but is taken to make it third time lucky as a novice chaser.
Butch Cassidy was thrown in at the deep end on his debut over fences when fourth to Final Demand, but caught the eye making some late headway at Navan that day, and when subsequently third at Punchestown.
The six-year-old just hit a flat spot during both contests but should now be fully tuned up.
Butch Cassidy to win 14:55 Gowran Park
Gowran Park 15:30 Tip
GOWRAN PARK 15:30 – BETTER TIMES AHEAD
Horses at the head of the betting market have done well in the Goffs Thyestes Chase of late, with only two winners sent off at double-figure prices in the last nine renewals of this prestigious handicap.
Better Times Ahead stands out among this year’s favourites after finally looking ready to fulfil his potential of late. The nine-year-old stayed on strongly to score over hurdles on his seasonal debut and quickly returned to Fairyhouse to land the Listed-class Porterhouse Handicap Chase. He only got up close home to edge out Will Do by a neck but showed plenty of courage to recover from being hampered by a faller three out, so even a 9lb uplift may not stop him completing a hat-trick.
Leading owner JP McManus has been trying to regain the Thyestes trophy since securing back-to-back victories with Wylde Hide in the mid-1990s, and it would be fitting for Mark Walsh to help him do it this year.
Better Times Ahead to win 15:30 Gowran Park
Gowran Park 16:05 Tip
GOWRAN PARK 16:05 – OUR TRIGGER
Only five have been entered for the PJ Foley Memorial INH Flat Race, but it still promises to be an informative affair, and the most interesting prospect is Willie Mullins’ full-brother to star stablemate Gaelic Warrior.
Our Trigger has yet to race in public but is already as short as 16/1 in places for the Champion Bumper at this year’s Cheltenham Festival.
Our Trigger to win 16:05 Gowran Park
Thursday Gowran Racing Tips
Gerri Colombe to win 13:45 Gowran Park
Butch Cassidy to win 14:55 Gowran Park
Better Times Ahead to win 15:30 Gowran Park
Our Trigger to win 16:05 Gowran Park
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