Make it Mercuric in opener

JESSICA Harrington's Mercuric is the nap choice to land the Irish Stallion Farms' EBF Beginners' Chase on what looks a difficult programme to solve at Thurles this afternoon.

The grey son of Silver Patriarch, successful just once over flights, made a promising start over fences at Fairyhouse eleven days ago.

Admittedly, he was no match for the smart Alexander Taipan, finishing 17 lengths second behind Willie Mullins' gelding.