Racecards
17:00 Thurles (IRE)
Thurles Handicap Hurdle
- 7 Runners
- Distance: 2m 6f 197y
- Going: Soft to Heavy (Heavy in places)
- Surface: Turf
- €18,000 added
- Winner: €10,801
- 2nd: €3,600
- 3rd: €1,800
- 4th: €900
- Form 4-33316
- Age 6
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 124
- Trainer G Elliott
- Jockey D N Russell
prominent, slight mistakes 4 out and 3 out, pushed along approaching straight, still chasing winner when fell 2 out
- Form P-31F22
- Age 7
- Weight 11-2
- Official Rating 119
- Trainer G P Cromwell
- Jockey J M Moore
soon led, slight mistakes 5th and 3 out, left well clear 2 out, stayed on well, comfortably
- Form 3/0-409P
- Age 9
- Weight 11-2
- Official Rating 119
- Trainer P Roche
- Jockey Aidan Kelly
waited with, not fluent 2nd, raced towards outer, slight mistake 4 out and slightly impeded, under pressure soon after, weakened and pulled up before 2 out
Zenon (IRE)
64- Form 507
- Age 6
- Weight 11-2
- Official Rating 119
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey Paul Townend
led briefly early, slow at 1st, tracked leaders, not fluent 6th, pushed along in 3rd approaching straight, no impression when left 2nd from 2 out, one pace
- Form 705P-37
- Age 13
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 117
- Trainer J J Walsh
- Jockey A McCurtin
slow at 1st, waited with, headway to chase leaders and slight mistake 3 out, no extra and one pace after
- Form 1-3890
- Age 5
- Weight 10-10
- Official Rating 114
tracked leaders, stumbled slightly approaching 2nd, mistake 3rd, pushed along at stages, under pressure after 4 out, one pace next
- Form 8F3212
- Age 5
- Weight 10-1
- Official Rating 105
- Trainer T O'Brien
- Jockey Phillip Enright
waited with, fell 2nd
Previous results
In depth
Verdict
Zenon, a dual winner on the Flat for John Gosden, hasn't shown much in maiden hurdles but makes his handicap debut on a lowly mark. Braeside had been threatening to win before landing a Fairyhouse maiden then performed with credit in a Grade B handicap at Leopardstown. Bay Ambition has run well in handicaps since landing a Downpatrick maiden and will enjoy the ground and trip, though the concession of 15lb to FRERE FONTAINE may prove beyond him. Beaten a short-head here in November, the latter then won at Limerick before another fine effort on the latter track and he looks the one to beat.
Formwatch
Braeside (IRE) 22-1 (9-13) Mid-division, slight mistake 4th, slightly hampered 4 out, 10th next, ridden 2 out, kept on one pace, 6th of 28, 18 1/4l behind Treacysenniscorthy (10-6) at Leopardstown 3m hcp Yielding in Feb.
Bay Ambition (IRE) 7-1 (11-9) Mid-division early, 6th after 5th, headway and effort straight, every chance from 2 out, kept on without matching winner run-in, 2nd of 12, 2 3/4l behind Sassy Yet Classy (11-3) at Navan 2m 4f hcp hvy in Feb.
Castello Sforza (IRE) 25-1 (11-10) Waited with, 12th from 7th, headway from 11th, no impression when fell 2 out, at Navan 2m 7f hcp hvy in Feb.
Zenon (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Mid-division, progress into 4th entering straight, soon ridden, under pressure in 4th when slightly hampered and left 3rd 2 out, soon no impression, 7th of 19, 15l behind Home By The Lee (11-9) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f mdn Yielding in Jan.
Sonny B (IRE) 4-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders, headway to lead after 2nd, headed 6th and 3rd halfway, slight mistake 7th and lost place when mistake next, soon weakened, completely tailed off, 7th of 9, dist behind Minella Till Dawn (10-10) at Cork 2m 4f hcp sft in Jan.
Bua Boy (IRE) 25-1 (10-13) Always towards rear, never a factor, no threat from 3 out, 11th of 20, dist behind Fakir (11-7) at Gowran Park 2m 4f hcp hvy in Feb.
Frere Fontaine (FR) 5-2fav (11-7) Slightly impeded 1st, a little keen early, chased leaders, 4th after 7th, on terms approaching straight, headed after 2 out, slightly impeded and switched right approaching last, one pace run-in and just held on for 2nd, 2nd of 13, 4 1/4l behind Difficult Decision (11-11) at Limerick 2m 5f hcp Soft - Heavy in Jan.