Thurles Sunday Preview - 19/11/21

The first race of the day at Thurles on Sunday is the 3m 1/2f Beginners Chase and the stand out runner looks to be Stratum for Willie Mullins.

The eight year old has been a superstar over all codes for Mullins during the years, holding his own on the flat winning races like the Cesarewitch at Newmarket, but then also performing well over hurdles and now fences.

Having had a few runs on the flat he was sent over hurdles in October over 2m7f at Thurles and he landed a nice event with ease.

Sent over fences for the first time last time out, he finished a very good third, not far behind two smart horses who had much more experience.

He should be much more streetwise over the obstacles for this run and holds the most ability.

The feature race of the day in Ireland is the Listed Mares Novice Hurdle and we are siding with another Willie Mullions horse in Braganza.

This individual is a very unique son of Nathaniel, having been seen for the first time in his career back in 2017 over a mile at Chelmsford when finishing last of five.

Off the track for close to four years, he returned for Mullins over hurdles and went on to land a Maiden Hurdle at Thurles over two miles.

He took the event by six lengths and got better the further the race went and we think he will improve for that run in Listed company.

Next up is the Handicap Hurdle over two miles and the horse we have sided with is Instant Return for Jessica Harrington, with this gelding being very consistent.

The five year old is joined by Sean O'Keefe who is one of the most experienced jockeys in the field which could be vital.

The horse itself looks a very smart animal, being very lightly raced over the last few years over fences, but does go well fresh.

In her last five efforts he has not finished outside the top three, winning two nice events at Punchestown and Naas before last being seen looking to bring up the hat-trick at Navan in March and having to settle for second.

He runs off the same mark of 123 for this event and if fully wound up could be in the mix in this competitive event.

The penultimate selection of the afternoon from us comes in the 2m7f Novice Hurdle and Mr Fred Rogers for Gordon Elliott has a big chance to get back to winning ways.

Winning his sole bumper start at Tipperary in March, he was waited on for this season and has been seen three times to good effect.

Starting his hurdles career he went to Wexford over two miles and although finishing second looked to need a trip.

He stepped up to 2m5f at Punchestown and instantly looked a better horse staying out the trip well and winning fairly easily.

Elliott last time out bumped him into Grade Two company at Navan over 2m4f and he finished a fair third behind two smart types in Ginto and Eric Bloodaxe.

That sets the form in this race and the extra trip should suit.

The final event of the afternoon is the Mares INH Flat Race and the horse we are siding with is the Willie Mullins trained Eabha Grace on debut.

The daughter of Walk In Park is a half sister to the superstar Bob Olinger and costing 52,000gns as a yearling he is expected to be a smart horse.

Mullins has a superb record with horses on debut in bumpers and she could turn out to be a future superstar.