One of Ireland’s richest handicap chase contests of the year takes place at Gowran Park, on Thursday. The 3m Thyestes Chase, which the great Arkle won on no less than 3 occasions, will feature some cracking runners. Let’s take a look at which are heading our current ante-post market.
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Willie Mullins 10-year-old gave a career-best performance, when runner-up at Leopardstown over the Christmas period. The handicapper has taken a good note though and he’s been given a meaty 7lb hike. Past outings suggest this additional burden won’t rest easy upon him, but punters clearly believe that the Vinnie Roe-sired gelding is the one to beat.
Prince Of Scars
Was handed a BHA rating of 155, when 3rd behind Thistlecrack and Shaneshill in the G1 Liverpool Stayers’ Hurdle (Aintree). The 7-year-old was tried over fences for the first time at Naas, back in November. Mistakes probably cost him a debut win and he was a lot more fluent when 3rd at Navan. Gordon Elliott then threw him into G1 company, at Leopardstown, where he finished 6th and not too far behind talented stablemate A Toi Phil. Has bags of potential.
Rogue Trader
Looked very-much the real deal, when holding-off Art Of Payroll’s challenge at Punchestown in November. He slightly disappointed, when racing in much better company at Leopardstown, but this was largely down to a dreadful mistake at the 9th which he was never likely to recover from. Kept on reasonably well in that encounter and this 8-year-old JP McManus-owned horse could go very close with a clear round.
As with the majority of high-class handicap races, the 2017 renewal of the Thyestes Chase is very open and many other horses are in contention. These include Measureofmydreams, Jetstream Jack, Champagne West, Bonny Kate and Ucello Conti. The likes of Sambremont, Gallant Oscar and Pleasant Company will be of appeal to many each-way backers as well.
Racing At Gowran Park
Gowran Park’s first meeting was held just over a century ago. The venue is located in County Kenny and holds the distinction of being the first Irish track to have a commentator (he made his debut in 1952).
Both flat and National Hunt encounters are held here and there are 16 days of action, each year. Other important races include the Galmoy Hurdle, the Red Mills Trial Hurdle, the Red Mills Chase, the Denny Cordell Fillies Stakes and the Gowran Park Champion Chase.
The Champion Chase is a G2 affair and run over 2m 4f. First run in 1998, its former winners include Dorans Pride, Kicking King and 4-time winner Sizing Europe (2011-2014). Ballycasey landed the spoils, for Willie Mullins, last year.
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