Milsean can make amends on Thurles return
The Willie Mullins-trained six-year-old, winner of two bumpers and a creditable second to the useful No More Heroes in his only other outing in that sphere, was beaten by stable-companion Measureofmydreams over two miles and six furlongs on this track last month. Having made the running and sent about his business by Bryan Cooper at the second last, the Milan gelding found little when tackled by his Ruby Walsh-ridden rival and was ultimately beaten two lengths.
Dropping back to two and a half miles, and likely to be ridden with more restraint, Milsean, who beat subsequent winner Snow Falcon in a two-mile Navan maiden on his hurdling debut, is Bryan Cooper’s choice ahead of Sub Lieutenant, whose form includes a second to Sizing John in a Grade One at Leopardstown before finishing a well-beaten sixth behind Nichols Canyon in the Deloitte last time.
Sub Lieutenant’s trainer Sandra Hughes, whose late father Dessie won the last three runnings of this event, also runs Total Recall, all-the-way conqueror of subsequent winner Oscar Knight at Punchestown.
But, despite his disappointing reversal last time, Milsean looks the one to beat.
The four-runner Thurles Racecourse Rated Chase affords Robbie Hennessy’s veteran Rubi Light, runner-up to Turban in Clonmel last time, an opportunity to register his first win in more than two years.
But he might not cope with the Charles Byrnes-trained Arnaud, a seven-year-old open to further improvement.
A faller two out when upsides Mount Colah over course and distance in his penultimate start, Arnaud performed creditably when third to Champagne Fever in the ‘Red Millis’ at Gowran Park last time.
Although he would prefer drier ground, Arnaud comes out marginally best on figures and gets the vote to complete a double for Charles Byrnes, who will saddle Feenakilmeedy for the opening Mares Beginners Chase.
An early faller here last time, she was no match for subsequent Grade One winner Gitane Du Berlais in her only completed outing over fences, in Limerick.
A clear round might be enough to see her beat Carigeen Kigelia and Shuilamach.
