Tharawaat a Christmas cracker for punters

GORDON Elliott’s rapidly improving Tharawaat can enjoy a first Grade 1 success in the Durkan New Homes Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown on Friday.

He has made giant strides in three outings over flights and this relentless galloper is likely to ask plenty of questions of his rivals a fair way from home.

He made a promising, if modest, start when beaten half a length into second by the moderate The Fist Of God at Down Royal in October.