Horse Racing tips: 5 to keep the dream alive at Tramore on Thursday

*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widget, while in-copy odds are accurate at time of publication but subject to change

12.30pm – Cavallino

CAVALLINO failed to spark on debut in a bumper at Punchestown in October but should represent from value here for Willie Mullins against two leading contenders for the Gigginstown team. The champion trainer has won three of the previous four renewals of this maiden hurdle and his five-year-old should improve now heading over hurdles for the first-time today under Paul Townend.

The form of his eighth-place finish (only beaten 12-lengths) has been boosted with nice victories for Magic Tricks and Joseph Conrad last weekend for Gordon Elliott.

Elsewhere, Ennemi Public represents the Elliott team and is now having his eighth start over hurdles and races here following a recent second at Clonmel, while Bulldoze is another on the shortlist for Michael O’Leary after his third-place finish at Fairyhouse last month for Henry de Bromhead.

1.00pm – Fighting Fit

First reserve FIGHTING FIT will hopefully get a chance to race here and will appreciate the drop back in trip to take this handicap hurdle for J.P McManus and trainer Philip Dempsey. The five-year-old went off favourite but only finished seventh in a Fairyhouse handicap hurdle last month, where the distance may have proven too much under Luke Dempsey.

Previous efforts at Fairyhouse and Punchestown suggests the son of Kayf Tara, now using a tongue-tie for the first time today, has the capability of winning a Tramore handicap hurdle off a rating of 93. Elsewhere, Glebe Girl remains a maiden after 29-career starts but comes here having finished second for John Joe Walsh at Clonmel, while Killarney winner Quarry Lil is another with a good each-way chance for Paul O’Flynn.

1.30pm – Erins Benefit

ERINS BENEFIT has the best form on offer to finally secure a maiden hurdle, despite finding too many too good in four starts over hurdles since September for trainer John Kiely. She drops back into maiden company following her second in a Thurles handicap hurdle last month. She previously caught the eye on debut when making late ground to finish third at Limerick before landing a bumper at Bellewstown in easy fashion in August.

John Kiely has an excellent 42 per cent strike-rate with his horses over hurdles at Tramore which is another positive, but Willie Mullins also stands-out with the same stat and saddles Bohemian Birch. She’s clearly open to further improvement on her hurdles debut having looked smart when going away at the line when landing a bumper at Sligo in October.

2.40pm – Exit To The West (nap)

The association between Robert Tyner and Phillip Enright continues after many years and their partnership can shine again with EXIT TO THE WEST in this 2m 5f beginners chase on Thursday afternoon. The six-year-old mare landed a Nenagh point-to-point for the trainer in February before returning to race under rules to secure victory in a handicap hurdle at Listowel in September.

She can continue her progression and claim this beginners chase following a nice debut over fences when second at Gowran Park last month behind Hostage To Fortune. Napoleon Blue and Twilight Girl where third and fourth at Gowran behind Exit To The West and should run solid races to reach the frame, while Beating The Odds looks an interesting runner on a chasing debut.

3.40pm – Kings Keeper (NB)

KINGS KEEPER drops into this bumper following a fine staying-on second in a maiden hurdle at Limerick last month and can end the card with victory for trainer Henry de Bromhead at his local track. April’s Moon was third at Limerick and drops into bumper company for Declan Queally but has six-and-a-half lengths to make up on the Gigginstown runner, which looks unlikely in my opinion.

Emma Twomey, who guided Kavanaghs Corner to victory at Fairyhouse recently, replaces Hugh Morgan on Kings Keeper and takes off a valuable 7lbs on the son of Getaway. Elsewhere, Gordon Elliott has won three of the previous five renewals of this race and saddles main danger Benbulben Boy, who comes here under Lisa O’Neill after finishing fourth on debut at Galway in late October.

*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widget, while in-copy odds are accurate at time of publication but subject to change