Johnny Ward: my tips for Thurles on Sunday

Our presenter and website tipster Johnny Ward looks forward to seeing some stars on show on an exciting card at Thurles on Sunday. Enjoy all the action live on Racing TV. 

Horses at Thurles will have to deal with a severe cross-wind for much of racing on Sunday and one hopes the ground will hold up well after a cold, dry spell in Ireland.

All told, we've a superb day's racing ahead and some stars on show. Can Allaho prove he has gotten over his reverse in the King George? And just how good is High Class Hero?

This is the third time Harmonya Maker and Hauturiere have clashed in the space of six weeks – which makes one wonder a little about the race programme. Do we need three novice chases for mares only in such a short time frame? Connections will not be giving out. 

It's currently 1-1 between the pair and they were sent off the same price as each other at Limerick last time, when conditions were desperate over an extended two miles and six furlongs. At the prices, the Elliott mare has to be the pick.

Time catches up on us all and it is startling that the Cheveley Park pair, Allaho and Envoi Allen, are now both ten years of age. 

Allaho at even money is tempting, but Envoi Allen looks the best value at the prices. Coming here pretty fresh and this two and a half miles on soft ground all adds up to a big performance, while Allaho did have a really hard race at Kempton.