Johnny Ward's Irish Angle: Sun can rise to the occasion at Thurles
By Johnny Ward
Last Updated: Tue 5 Dec 2023
Our man in Dublin, Johnny Ward, tipped winners at 10/1, 11/2 and 3/1 in Ireland last week and has three selections for the racing action at Thurles this afternoon.
Thurles' feature Horse & Jockey Hotel Chase (formerly the Kinloch Brae) meeting is a pretty special one, with Footpad the star attraction in the pivot race.
Thurles being Thurles, the ground is not especially bad, and hopefully Sunday's card will pass an early inspection.
The Horse & Jockey Hotel Chase, looks Footpad's to lose, but there are others at better prices worth considering this weekend.
Sunday selections:
Johnny Ward
Finished: 1stSP: 5/2
The Arcadio-bred was a smooth bumper winner and ran into a nice horse of Willie Mullins' on his hurdling debut last time.
Mild progress can ensure victory here with Denis O'Regan an excellent jockey-booking.
Johnny Ward
Finished: 1stSP: 4/7
A winner of three races over hurdles and has also finished second four times. She was really good in beating Augusta Gold with ease on her chase debut at Cork, a notably ambitious bid from her trainer for one with no chasing experience.
She appeals as the class act.
Johnny Ward
Finished: 9thSP: 10/1
The Nickname-bred's form reads more like a Wi-fi password, but Conor McNamara takes off a useful 5lb for his dad and he should win this if anywhere near his best.
He has a chequered career, but he has time on his side still.
Saturday selections:
Johnny Ward
Finished: 2ndSP: 6/1
Alfa Mix had Dolciano Dici back in fourth when they clashed at Navan and he looks the most progressive one here, having just turned five.
The handicapper could have been easier on one described by this excellent trainer as "a big raw horse; improving all the time".
Johnny Ward
Finished: 3rdSP: 11/10
It is not a surprise to see Gordon Elliott reach for headgear for this eight-year-old who raced on and off the bridle when third here in November.
That was still a solid run though, and he surely has enough in him to win a race of this nature. Davy Russell also got a nice tune out of him on his previous start.
Johnny Ward
Finished: 1stSP: 2/5
This should be straightforward for last year's Albert Bartlett winner, which will likely set him up nicely for a bid to win the RSA Chase in March.
He is pretty bullet-proof and one to add into your accumulator’s this weekend.
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