Hi all,

Inside today’s extra column I look at the best of the action at Thurles including a preview of the Grade 2 Horse & Jockey Hotel Chase.  

You must admire Kirkland Tellwright’s (Haydock Clerk of the Course) optimism he thought he had a chance of putting on Saturday’s card. Looking at the BBC’s forecast for the area of -2 on Friday night and I couldn’t see the track racing.  Indeed, racing was called off even before the scheduled 8am inspection.

Mind you if the track WAS raceable on Friday and it was covered overnight surely -3 shouldn’t have been a problem. I wouldn’t describe minus 3 as a severe frost. If these frost covers are the best racing has to offer, then the sport has a big problem.

Lingfield’s Winter Million card passed its Saturday afternoon precautionary inspection. However, the track isn’t out of the wood just yet. There will be another inspection at 8am on Sunday morning.

Looking at the forecast the BBC is predicting the temperature to drop to -4 on Saturday night. So, if Haydock couldn’t race after a -3 overnight temperature. What chance does Lingfield have? Given the importance of the meeting you can see why they are going to leave a decision as late as possible. I can't see them being able to race but stranger things have happened.

Apologies if you were hoping for a preview of the Lingfield card. However, after Haydock I don’t want to spend a couple of hours writing a preview of the card only to see it abandoned in the morning.

I do hope they can race as it’s a good card and I will no doubt be having a bet or two if they do.

Thurles

The best two race on the card are the first two. Concerns over low sun mean the cards two Graded races get the action underway.

Smart novice chase mare Allegorie De Vassy will be long odds on in the Grade 2 Coolmore N.H. Sires Mogul Irish EBF Mares Novice Chase (1:10).  It should be a procession for the 6-year-old who is 2 from 2 since going chasing. Barring a mishap she wins this comfortably.

Of much more interest is the next race the Grade 2 Horse & Jockey Hotel Chase (1:40).  Just the six line up but they include the likes of Chacun Pour Soi and Fakir D'oudairies.

Willie Mullins who has won this race for the last two years with Allaho bids for a four timer. In addition to favourite Chacun Pour Soi he also runs Royal Rendezvous & Haut En Couleurs.

Horse & Jockey Hotel Chase (2m 4 ½ f)

Grade 1 two mile winning chaser Chacun Pour Soi was in the process of a running a big race when making a bad mistake two out on his seasonal reappearance at Leopardstown over Christmas. Stamina to prove but the 11-year-old shapes like he’s worth a try over today’s distance.

Fakir D'oudairies was no match for Galopin Des Champs in the John Durkan Chase at Punchestown last month. This is the Grade 1 winning chasers optimum trip and if there any stamina doubts in the favourite he looks the most likely to exploit them.

Lifetime Ambition arguably put up a career best effort when finishing one place and 1 ½ lengths behind Fakir D'oudairies in the John Durkan. He gets 6lb from that one today. And is entitled to get closer although this trip is on the short side.

Haut En Couleurs was a further 5 lengths behind fourth in the John Durkan. That was his first start beyond 2m 1f and his first run since April. The 6-year-old’s jumping let him down during his novice season but he’s talented enough to win races like this when he puts it altogether.

French Dynamite, a winner over C&D in October and runner-up in the Paddy Power at Cheltenham, ran well for a long way in the Grade 1 Savills Chase at Leopardstown last time.  Probably found 3m stretching his stamina that day and he should better down in trip.

Royal Rendezvous was last of seven in the Savills Chase but that was his first start for 8 months and he was entitled to need the run that day.

Verdict:

It might be a Grade 2 but there are two Grade 1 winners among the line-up.  If Chacun Pour Soi is to be a serious Ryanair contender, he must win this. Maximum respect to Fakir D'oudairies but its Chacun Pour Soi for me. When or indeed if Haut En Couleurs gets his jumping together he can win a race like this.

Sunday Selection:

A tough day for solid betting opportunities and even todays selection is much shorter than I was expecting.

4:10 – Cheltenham Festival Hunter winner Billaway will be a warm order to make a winning seasonal return. However, he’s beaten on last two seasonal reappearances including this race 12 months ago (10/11). Last year’s renewal was taken by David Christie trained Winged Leader and he has the one I think can beat Billaway. Winning pointer Ferns Lock jumped well to win a Fairyhouse Hunter Chase on his debut under rules in November. The 6-year-old has clearly got plenty to find with Billaway but he’s open to plenty of improvement in the sphere and could he could develop into a high class hunter chase.

Ferns Lock

Good luck with your Sunday bets.

John