*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
A maximum field of 18 are set to tackle the Grade A Thyestes Handicap Chase at Gowran Park.
Gordon Elliott is responsible for half the runners in Thursday’s 14:50 including 2021 winner Coko Beach, top weight Escaria Ten and recent Porterstown scorer Punitive, while Willie Mullins’ trio is headed by Paddy Power Cork Grand National hero Captain Kangaroo.
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The Thyestes – one of Ireland’s biggest staying handicap chases – can be a starting point to the Aintree Grand National, with Hedgehunter and Numbersixvalverde winning this in 2004 and 2005 respectively before scoring in the big one the following year.
Thyestes Handicap Chase odds can be found on the Paddy Power website, Paddy Power app or via our snazzy betting widgets, otherwise Timeform’s horse-by-horse guide to the runners and betting tips from the racing boffins are below.
Thyestes Handicap Chase runners
Escaria Ten
Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: A. P. Heskin Age: 9 Weight: 11st 12lbs
Very smart chaser who shaped well when 2 lengths second of 5 in Thurles listed race on his reapperarance last month. Lightly raced enough to think he could yet have a bigger performance in him.
***
Pencilfulloflead
Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: Mr R. James Age: 9 Weight: 11st 11lbs
7¾ lengths last of 4 to Blue Lord in Clonmel Oil Chase (8/1) at Clonmel (20.4f, heavy) 70 days ago. Up in trip. Cheekpieces on 1st time. Entitled to build on that and has services of useful amateur.
***
Carefully Selected
Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: P Townend Age: 11 Weight: 11st 8lbs
Respectable eleventh of 28 in handicap chase (16/1) at Leopardstown (24.2f, soft) 30 days ago. Trainer going well. Claims if building on that.
***
Coko Beach
Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: B. W. Harvey Age: 8 Weight: 11st 6lbs
C&D winner. 40/1, respectable fourth of 18 in handicap chase at Navan (24f, heavy) 60 days ago. Others more persuasive.
**
Gabbys Cross
Trainer: Henry de Bromhead Jockey: Rachael Blackmore Age: 8 Weight: 11st 5lbs
Latest win in chase at Galway in July. Back from 3 months off when good sixth of 28 in handicap chase at Leopardstown (24.2f, soft) 30 days ago. Stable in good form. Solid claims.
*****
Frontal Assault
Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: K. E. Buckley Age: 8 Weight: 11st 3lbs
1 win from 3 runs this season. 25/1, below form 31½ lengths third of 7 to Gaillard Du Mesnil in Neville Hotels (Fort Leney) Novices’ Chase at Leopardstown (24f, soft) 28 days ago. Others more appealing.
**
Braeside
Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: Denis O’Regan Age: 9 Weight: 11st 2lbs
28/1, tailed-off ninth of 12 to Punitive in handicap chase at Fairyhouse (29f, heavy) 53 days ago. Risky proposition at present.
*
Espanito Bello
Trainer: Barry Connell Jockey: M. J. M. O’Sullivan Age: 9 Weight: 11st 1lbs
Back from 10 months off when respectable fifth of 16 in handicap hurdle at Galway (22f, heavy) 89 days ago. Fairly treated, returned to chasing, and is not out of things.
***
Defi Bleu
Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: Mr H. C. Swan Age: 10 Weight: 10st 13lbs
Unreliable individual. 50/1, below form seventeenth of 28 in handicap chase at Leopardstown (24.2f, soft) 30 days ago. Needs a couple of these to falter.
*
Lieutenant Command
Trainer: Noel Meade Jockey: B. J. Cooper Age: 9 Weight: 10st 13lbs
Below form fifth of 13 in handicap chase at Limerick (19.7f, heavy, 18/1) 29 days ago. Up in trip. Hopes may rest on first-time cheekpieces.
**
Punitive
Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: Jordan Colin Gainford Age: 9 Weight: 10st 12lbs
In good form this season, second at Galway and Cheltenham before getting back to winning ways in valuable Porterstown handicap at Fairyhouse last month. 8 lb higher now but expected to go well again.
****
Donkey Years
Trainer: Eric McNamara Jockey: C. P. McNamara Age: 9 Weight: 10st 9lbs
Unseated rider latest but had posted good third of 16 in handicap chase at Limerick (24f, soft, 6/1) previously and merits consideration.
***
Dunboyne
Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: Sam Ewing Age: 8 Weight: 10st 8lbs
Unreliable sort. Course winner in November. 12/1, pulled up in minor event chase at Fairyhouse (21f, heavy) 36 days ago, never going well from early final circuit. Others more persuasive.
**
Egality Mans
Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: S. F. O’Keeffe Age: 9 Weight: 10st 8lbs
Cheekpieces on for 1st time, possibly amiss when pulled up in handicap chase at Leopardstown (24.2f, soft, 22/1) 30 days ago, pulled up before last. Trainer going well. Something to find on form.
**
Captain Kangaroo
Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: Kieran Callaghan Age: 8 Weight: 10st 7lbs
Latest win in chase at Cork in November. Failed to complete twice since and makes limited appeal.
**
Fakiera
Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: Sean Flanagan Age: 8 Weight: 10st 7lbs
Remains a maiden over fences but posted good second of 10 in handicap chase (5/1) at Punchestown (22.7f, heavy) latest and is only 1 lb higher here.
***
Darrens Hope
Trainer: Robert Murphy Jockey: D. E. Mullins Age: 9 Weight: 10st 6lbs
2 wins from 6 runs this season. Career best when winning 5-runner novice chase at Punchestown (22.6f, good to soft, 20/1) 67 days ago. Warrants respect back handicapping.
***
Flash De Touzaine
Trainer: Miss Elizabeth Doyle Jockey: Richard Deegan Age: 8 Weight: 10st 6lbs
Running creditably when fell in handicap chase at Limerick (19.7f, heavy, 10/1) 29 days ago. Others look better treated, however.
**
Thyestes Handicap Chase tips
Timeform: Preference is for GABBYS CROSS, who shaped well on his return from a 3-month absence at Leopardstown last time and remains on a workable mark. Punitive and Escaria Ten head the list of dangers in a typically competitive renewal of this contest.
Read More
- Gallop over to Paddy Power News for all the latest horse racing tips
- NAP of the Day: Today’s NAPs Table of horse racing tips across the UK & Ireland
- A 9/1 play leads the way in Thursday’s Gowran Park racing tips