Yeah Man is bidding to secure a first victory in the prestigious Thyestes Handicap Chase for top trainer Gavin Cromwell at Gowran Park on Thursday.
The antepost favourite, who won last season’s Haydock Grand National Trial, has only been increased 2lbs for placing third in the Troytown Handicap Chase last time out and looks set to get his preferred testing conditions.
The Troytown winner, Stuzzikini, is one of six entries for Gordon Elliott but he races off a career-high mark of 140 and jockey bookings suggest the stable seem to favour last term’s Punchestown Grand National Trial scorer Where It All Began and Paddy Power Chase fifth Will Do, who is still a maiden over fences.
Willie Mullins, the most successful trainer in the history of the race, saddles four including Paddy Power Chase fourth Nick Rockett and last season’s Scottish Grand National hero Macdermott.
Henry de Bromhead saddled Ain’t That A Shame to victory in last year’s renewal of the Thyestes Handicap Chase and he relies on Largy Debut, returning from a 431-day break, to bring home the bacon.
The latest Thyestes Handicap Chase odds are on the Paddy Power website and Paddy Power app, otherwise Timeform’s guide to the runners as well as betting tips from the racing boffins can be found below.
Thyestes Handicap Chase 2025 verdict
Timeform: NICK ROCKETT took another step forward when an excellent fourth in the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown on return and he may have come on for that, so he gets the nod ahead of Shannon Royale, who took a novice in likeable fashion at Punchestown last time and probably has even more to offer. Yeah Man completes the shortlist.
*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
Thyestes Handicap Chase 2025 runners and riders
The following horses have been declared for the Thyestes Handicap Chase 2025.
Coko Beach
Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: Mr R. James Age: 10 Weight: 11st 12lbs
C&D winner. Tenth of 15 in handicap chase at Cheltenham (29.2f, good to soft, 16/1) 41 days ago. Blinkers back on.
***
Nick Rockett
Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: P. Townend Age: 8 Weight: 11st 11lbs
25/1, creditable fourth of 27 in handicap chase at Leopardstown (24.4f, good to soft) 27 days ago. Shapes like he has one of these big pots in him.
*****
Favori De Champdou
Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: Mr J. H. Williamson Age: 10 Weight: 11st 3lbs
Six wins from 16 NH runs. 33/1 and cheekpieces on for 1st time, respectable eighth of 27 in handicap chase at Leopardstown (24.4f, good to soft) 27 days ago. Not ruled out.
***
Grandero Bello
Trainer: Eddie & Patrick Harty Jockey: R. A. Doyle Age: 9 Weight: 11st 3lbs
Course winner. 1 win from 2 runs this season. Respectable eighth of 13 in handicap chase at Newbury (26f, good to soft, 33/1) 54 days ago. Can’t be discounted.
***
Glengouly
Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: S. Cleary-Farrell Age: 9 Weight: 11st 1lbs
12/1, below form sixth of 14 in handicap chase at Limerick (19.4f, soft) 26 days ago. Back up in trip. Risky proposition at present but is on a handy mark.
***
Yeah Man
Trainer: Gavin Cromwell Jockey: Keith Donoghue Age: 8 Weight: 11st 1lbs
16/1, good 3¾ lengths third of 18 to Stuzzikini in handicap chase at Navan (24.2f, good to soft) 67 days ago. Probably saved for this and looks a big player.
****
Velvet Elvis
Trainer: Gavin Cromwell Jockey: C. Stone-Walsh Age: 9 Weight: 11st 0lbs
25/1, fifteenth of 20 in handicap hurdle at Leopardstown (23.4f, good) 26 days ago. Switches from hurdles to chase. Cheekpieces on and should strip fitter for return.
***
Macdermott
Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: D. E. Mullins Age: 7 Weight: 10st 13lbs
Twentieth of 27 in handicap chase (33/1) at Leopardstown (24.4f, good to soft) 27 days ago. Needs to bounce back.
**
Shannon Royale
Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: M. P. Walsh Age: 7 Weight: 10st 13lbs
2/1, career best when winning 7-runner novice chase at Punchestown (24f, soft) 23 days ago, responding well. Makes handicap chase debut. Another bold show likely.
****
Stuzzikini
Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: C. P. Millar Age: 7 Weight: 10st 13lbs
20/1, career best when winning 18-runner handicap chase at Navan (24.2f, good to soft) 67 days ago. Should continue to give a good account.
***
Spanish Harlem
Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: M. J. M. O’Sullivan Age: 7 Weight: 10st 10lbs
40/1, bit below form thirteenth of 27 in handicap chase at Leopardstown (24.4f, good to soft) 27 days ago. Bounce back required.
**
Macs Charm
Trainer: Colm A. Murphy Jockey: B. Hayes Age: 10 Weight: 10st 8lbs
Ninth of 14 in handicap chase at Limerick (19.4f, soft, 28/1) 26 days ago. Back up in trip. Others are more persuasive.
**
Where It All Began
Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: D. J. Gilligan Age: 9 Weight: 10st 6lbs
10/1 and blinkered for 1st time, pulled up in handicap chase at Chepstow (30.6f, good to soft) 27 days ago, closing in third when making a bad mistake 4 out. Worthy of interest.
***
Largy Debut
Trainer: Henry de Bromhead Jockey: D. J. O’Keeffe Age: 10 Weight: 10st 4lbs
Thirteen runs since last win in 2021. 10/1, brought down in handicap chase at Navan (24f, heavy) won by Coko Beach. Off 14 months. Worth a market check.
***
My Immortal
Trainer: Barry Connell Jockey: Sean Flanagan Age: 9 Weight: 10st 4lbs
Visored for 1st time, bit below form seventh of 13 in handicap chase (7/2) at Fairyhouse (29.7f, good) 53 days ago. Yard in good form. Cheekpieces back on.
***
Klarc Kent
Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: S. F. O’Keeffe Age: 9 Weight: 10st 2lbs
50/1, pulled up in handicap chase at Leopardstown (24.4f, good to soft) 27 days ago. Has a bit to prove at present.
**
Bushmans Pass
Trainer: Oliver McKiernan Jockey: Phillip Enright Age: 9 Weight: 10st 1lbs
Career best when winning 10-runner handicap chase (7/1) at Navan (23.4f, heavy), suited by increase in trip. Off 10 months. Absence is a concern.
***
Will Do
Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: Sam Ewing Age: 8 Weight: 10st 0lbs
5/1 and blinkered for 1st time, respectable fifth of 27 in handicap chase at Leopardstown (24.4f, good to soft) 27 days ago, unable to sustain effort. Trainer going well. Expected to be bang there.
****
Stormy Judge
Trainer: P. A. Fahy Jockey: Reserve Age: 10 Weight: 10st 0lbs
Thirteen runs since last win in 2021. Unseated rider in handicap chase at Limerick (19.4f, soft, 16/1) 26 days ago. Back up in trip.
RESERVE.
***
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