The ever-dependable Thurles circuit will once again be the venue for racing enthusiasts this Thursday with the first of a planned seven-race card getting under way at 12.30pm. Finger Onthe Pulse is an extremely interesting proposition in the Glen Chase.
Trained by the in-form Tom Taaffe, Finger Onthe Pulse posted one of his best ever performances by finishing second to Noland in a Grade 3 chase over two and a half mile miles at Down Royal earlier this month. Whilst Finger Onthe Pulse was ultimately beaten all of 12 lengths, he was however conceding Paul Nicholls’ charge some three lbs. It’s safe to say that Finger Onthe Pulse won’t be encountering anything of the calibre of Noland here and the Accordion-sired gelding is taken to show a clean pair of heels to former Cheltenham festival bumper winner Hairy Molly.
Roll Over could prove capable of springing a mild surprise in the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Chase. Roll Over won a maiden point-to-point without even remotely coming off the bridle with Gerry Mangan at Kilsheelan last month and his subsequent effort when pulling up in a three-mile Naas handicap chase was quite simply too bad to be true. It’s worth recalling that Roll Over was placed three times over fences earlier this year and Robert Tyner’s charge is recommended to open his account on the racecourse here by proving marginally superior to An Peinteir.
Freds Benefit is the clear class act in the Rock Of Cashel Hurdle. The Willie Mullins-trained Freds Benefit made all the running with three-lb claimer Paul Townend to defeat Charlie Yardbird and Bob Lingo in a most-competitive two-mile conditions hurdle at Punchestown earlier this month. That effort illustrates that Freds Benefit is as competent over hurdles as he is over fences and the son of Beneficial should continue on his merry way here at the expense of Silver Jaro.
Sher Why Not may well get off the mark over fences for Colm Murphy by denying Boulavogue in the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Beginners Chase. The Pat Cody-trained Charleville meanwhile could spring a mild surprise by beating Patriot Jack in the Holy Cross 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle.
Terence O’Brien’s East Beach, also a former winning point-to-pointer, should put his handicap experience to a positive use by dismissing Watchurhouse in the Cahir Maiden Hurdle whilst Guts For Garters should have most to fear from the mare Rebel Dream in the Munster Handicap Hurdle.
