A large attendance will surely flock to Thurles this Thursday (1.15 pm start) provided that 2006 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner War Of Attrition lines up in the featured Thurles Chase over two miles six furlongs.
War Of Attrition made a hugely pleasing return to action when beating Kicking King, winner of the 2005 Cheltenham Gold Cup, by an unchallenged 19 lengths with new partner Davy Russell in the Grade 3 Star Best For Racing Coverage Chase over two miles six furlongs at Punchestown on October 16th. That performance illustrates that War Of Attrition is set for another lucrative campaign and the son of Presenting is taken to caste aside the attentions of last season’s Aintree Grand National third Snowy Morning.
Whatever Next stands out in the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Beginners Chase.
John Murphy’s Whatever Next, who was later awarded a three-mile maiden hurdle at Gowran Park in April, made an exemplary start to his steeplechase career by finishing second to Dancing Hero in a two and a half mile beginners chase at Gowran Park in early October. Whatever Next was ultimately beaten just a half-length on that occasion and the former winning point-to-pointer is taken to dispose of Sizing Australia.
Realt Dubh is clearly the one for the ‘getting-out stakes’ in the Toboradora INH Flat Race.
A gelding that started off in point-to-points earlier this year with Portlaw-based handler Vinny Keane, Realt Dubh has since been placed in two bumpers for Noel Meade and on his most recent start, the son of Beneficial was beaten just a short head by Luska Lad in a Kilbeggan bumper in early October.
Luska Lad has since gone on to collect a Galway winners bumper for trainer ‘Shark’ Hanlon and it will therefore come as a major surprise if Realt Dubh doesn’t return to the coveted number one slot here. In all probability, Warhead is the one for the forecast.
The Charlie Swan-trained Adajal is put forward to triumph from Seabass in the Killinan Beginners Chase and Twofan should continue trainer Charles Byrnes’ excellent campaign by dispensing with Battle Axe in the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Chase.
Jessica Harrington’s Zarinava is the clear form choice in the Templemore Mares Maiden Hurdle, an event that’s also likely to concern Maire Bhridin whilst the admirably-consistent Conker Nails is marginally preferred to Got The Urge in the Holycross Handicap Hurdle.