Rely on Rindoon
A big disappointment at Punchestown on his debut over fences, when he tried to make all the running, Rindoon returned to that track eight days ago and looked a different proposition.
Partnered for the first time by Ruby Walsh, the selection was held up for most of the journey, before hitting the front two out.
He looked sure to score early on the run in, but Savitha swooped late to beat him by a neck. A further length away in third was Calorando and those placings can be confirmed, particularly as the selection has shown a liking for Thurles previously, winning a maiden hurdle there.
Jessica Harrington’s Albanov, this will be his initial pop over fences, rates the biggest danger. A useful hurdler, he made an excellent start to the campaign when coasting to a four and a half lengths defeat of subsequent winner, Mill House Girl, at Tipperary. Albanov, however, has always shaped like a stayer and two miles round here is likely to prove much more Rindoon’s cup of tea!
The conditions of the Thurles Chase very much favour Forget The Past, considering he has a minimum of 12lbs in hand of all of his rivals. Michael O’Brien’s nine-year-old always goes well fresh and, if running anywhere near his best, can prove too good for the somewhat enigmatic Our Ben.
Galistic, with a rating of 100 on the flat, is a hugely interesting recruit to jumping in the Templemore Mares Maiden Hurdle. If she takes to this game then there can only be one result and her movements in the market will be all important.
For the moment, however, preference is for Sutherland Belle, far from disgraced when fourth to Megans Joy in a Grade 3 at Down Royal last Friday.
