Thurles Wednesday Preview - 27/01/21

The first race of the day is the Grade Two Mares Novice Chase and the stand out entry is the Willie Mullins trained Colreevy.

This eight year old has not put a foot wrong this season over fences and although giving away a penalty looks a class above the field and should dominate from the outset.

Having been a horse with bags of potential over hurdles, Mullins sent her chasing this term and on debut got off the mark in fine style at Punchestown in heavy ground.

She was then stepped up against stablemate Asterion Forlonge at Limerick in the Grade One Faugheen Novice Chase and managed to rally close home to land the spoils.

This is the stand out piece of form heading into the event and if staying on the upward curve she should use this race as a stepping stone to Mares' Chase at the Cheltenham festival.

The other feature race on Sunday in Ireland is the Grade Two Horse & Jockey Chase over 2m4f and Allaho for Willie Mullins dropping down to this trip looks a huge player.

The Cheveley Park Stud owned seven year old looks set to have a huge season and if wanting to be at the top of this division will have to go close in this.

The gelding has had an illustrious career, being a smart hurdler two seasons ago when winning a Grade Three at Clonmel before finishing a good third behind Minella Indo in the Grade One Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham festival.

He was sent chasing last term by his handler and again impressed finishing second on debut behind stablemate Easy Game and then going to win a Beginners Chase at Fairyhouse with ease.

This set him up for the RSA Novices' Chase at the festival and although running a cracker, again had to settle for a close third behind Champ and Minella Indo.

This term Allaho has been seen twice and both times leaving more to be desired, running no sort of race at Punchestown on comeback in the Grade One John Durkan Memorial Chase.

Last time out he stepped up for the Grade One Savills Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas and although doing well to finish fourth in a tough field, he did not quite stay out the trip.

Dropped back in class and distance today should see him thrive and if winning this becomes a big player for the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham festival.

The third race on the afternoon is the Handicap Chase over 2m5f and the Sean O'Brien trained R'Evelyn Pleasure looks weighted to run a bold race.

The nine year old has been seen Three times this term, not performing well on seasonal debut over two miles behind winner Dreal Deal, but has since been stepped up in trip and faired better.

Two starts ago over 2m4f at Thurles he was a good third of 13 in a handicap hurdle and backed that up last time out at Punchestown when a game winner.

He moves back over to the bigger obstacles on Sunday and having gained some confidence from going over flights, he can now use this lesser mark over fences to give a bold showing.

Robbie Power is booked to do the steering which is a plus.

One of the most interesting races on the Sunday card is the 2m7f Novice Hurdle and with some smart youngsters in the field, we have studied the form seriously hard.

The horse we have sided with is the Henry De Bromhead trained Heather Rocco who will be looking to keep his unbeaten run going after two wins this term.

The six year old ran in a point to point back in October and after that was bought by Mustafa Elatrash and given to Henry De Bromhead.

She made her rules debut over Christmas at Limerick and was an 11 length winner of a decent Maiden Hurdle in heavy ground.

He looked a class above that day in tough conditions and although this is much harder he is proven to stay the trip and looks a very interesting newcomer for a top yard.

Willie Mullins' Eurotiep is our selection in the two mile maiden hurdle and although harbouring a penalty could just be a class above this field.

The seven year old makes his hurdles debut in this event having run in four bumpers and not finished outside the top two in any of them.

Having finished second in September 2019, he made his seasonal reappearance at Fairyhouse and again had to settle for runner up.

He finally got off the mark next time out at Punchestown in a dominating display and last time out at Leopardstown over Christmas he was a superb second to the smart and expensive Hollow Games for Gordon Elliott.

If taking to hurdles straight away he is a leading player in what looks a weak contest.

The final event of the afternoon is the INH Flat Race over 2m3f and Emmet Mullins teams up with Patrick Mullins with the progressive Noble Yeats.

The six year old has some strong form stepping up in trip for this event having finished a good second in a point to point back in 2019 and on his first run this season was a pleasing third in a smart bumper.

The gelding placed in behind Blazing Khal and Grady Hollow who are both going to go on to be smart horses and with this extra distance on Sunday, Noble Yeats is a live contender.