G3 Kinloch Brae Chase Is Thursday’s Feature At Thurles

The big race at Thurles on Thursday is the G3 Kinloch Brae Chase, a race won by Don Cossack in 2016. This should be a real thriller, with 3 horses demanding punters’ attention.

Black Hercules

Willie Mullins’ inmate beat Bristol De Mai by 3 lengths, when winning the G1 JLT Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. Lousy jumping led to him trailing in last in the G1 John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase, though. He was more fluent at Leopardstown, in what was always likely to be a Douvan-led procession, but he still finished well behind Sizing John and Simply Ned. Needs a performance, here.

Sizing John

The Midnight Legend-sired horse hasn’t won since getting the better of Lord Scoundrel, in the Craddockstown Novice Chase at Punchestown in November of 2015. 2nd in the Arkle, he’s gotten used to observing Douvan’s hindquarters over the last 12 months but will be expected to go very close in this company.

Sub Lieutenant

Sandra Hughes’ charge swerved Cheltenham and won the G3 Directors Plate Novice Chase at Naas. A 3.5 length defeat of Gordon Elliott’s Outlander (with Le Mercurey a further 7.5 behind), in the G2 Titanic Belfast Chase gave connections cause for much optimism although Outlander reversed that form in the John Durkan. Punters like the cut of his jib though and he will probably start as favourite.

Smashing is another that cannot be ruled out, although both Letter Of Credit and Boxing Along look out of their depth.

Racing At Thurles

Thurles Racecourse is in Tipperary and racing has taken place here since 1732. This is not a purpose built facility and racing has simply evolved, over the centuries.

Thurles is a great day out and there i plenty of parking around the course. Views from both stands are excellent and the local people have a real passion for the sport. The track is a right-handed oval and there is a steep uphill finish.

Other major Thurles races include the G2 Coolmore Mares Novice Chase, the G2 Michael Purcell Memorial Novice Hurdle and the Listed John Meagher Memorial Chase.