Thursday

scojones

1.45 Thurles - The Whipper has been very close in it's last two performances, however it is taking on some extra weight in today's 2m6f. Nothing really stands out in this race, apart from Michael Hourigan's Just who won over 2m4f last time out, after being tried at 3m with no success. Being bumped up to 2m6f today, a distance The Whipper is well used to should make it a very interesting battle indeed.

Summary: The Whipper win, Marco The Builder each way.

2.45 Thurles - Ray Boy has a great chance here providing it is back to form. Last time out in Navan was a good race up until it made a mistake 3 from home, from which there was no recovery. I feel that was just tiredness, and I'm willing to leave that go as it was Ray Boy's first race since a long break back to May. Has the great O' Dwyer on board, I'm willing to place it ahead of Mossy Green in my book. If it doesn't win watch out for it's next race. One Cool Cookie is racing in this race and is a horse I follow, however I don't think it is good enough for this crowd.

Summary: Ray Boy to win, One Cool Cookie each way.

3.30 Leicester - Not a great race to be honest. College City returns to hurdles after a break from them since May, and has a decent bit of form recently in chases. Martin Pipe's Honan would be my biggest concern here, however I am siding with College City, due to the fact that this weight is certainly not a problem for it, and big things are expected of it in the future.

Summary: College City win.

masterK

I was tempted by The Whipper at Thurles myself but I was put off by the fact that he is a front runner and it's no easy task to lead from start to finish in a field of 17 runners so I have avoided the race but wouldn't be surprised to see him win.

Here's a couple I quite fancy today:

2:45 Thurles - Mossy Green

Interesting to see Willie Mullins send Mossy Green back over hurdles off a much lower handicap mark that in chases after he won a chase over course and distance a few weeks back. He has some decent form in hurdles and has been running in Grade 1 chases and with no ground, course or distance worries must go close today.

3:10 Wincanton - Tom Sayers

With Commanche War Point being a warm order it mind be worthwhile to side with Tom Sayers. The softening ground will suit Tom Sayers and he will have no stamina issues as he's won over further, I have a suspicion that the favourite would prefer the ground a little firmer. Has a useful 5lb claimer on board who has ridden him on all 3 of his chase wins.

12:50 Market Rasen - Samson Des Galas

I'm probably mad to even consider a race like this but Samson Des Galas stands out a mile as the only horse with an recent form, has been placed the last 4 times out and is off bottom weight today, if he's ever going to win a race today must be the day.

masterK

A deeply frustrating day for me with Mossy Green coming 2nd and even worse luck with Tom Sayers falling when in the lead close home at Wincanton.