Today's Tips: Chatham House can rule in Thurles opener
Gordon Elliott’s horse unseated rider on his chasing debut in early December, but ran quite well in defeat behind Domesday Book on his next start, at Limerick. He was beaten a long way on the latter occasion, and never really threatened the winner, but that level of form still stands out against today’s opposition.
Conditions will be quicker than he has encountered over jumps, but he was placed on fast ground on the flat and they shouldn’t be an issue. He likes to get on with things, and can lead all the way to score at the expense of potential improver Sweet Company.
Champagne Harmony ought to be very hard to beat on his hurdling debut in the two-mile maiden. Steve Mahon’s horse was an easy winner on debut and narrowly beat subsequent winner Comeragh Trix under a penalty in a winner’s race next time. He was unable to get competitive in a Listed bumper won by Death Duty on his last outing in that sphere, but there was no shame in that as runner-up Our Duke and third-placed Babbling Stream are smart sorts.
His overall form stands out against today’s opposition and he can take this en route to better things.
Vic Approach can take the Clonoulty Handicap Hurdle for Davy Fitzgerald. The now seven-year-old was an easy winner of a chase at Tramore in early October and failed by just a head to make the most of a much lower hurdle mark over today’s course and distance later that month.
He has been raised 5lbs for that narrow defeat and hasn’t been seen since but that’s of little concern as he has likely been kept for this better ground. With David Mullins in the plate once more, he can resume his progress by taking this race at the expense of top weight Candle Island.
Fine Article looks the one to side with in the Jimmy Neville Memorial Beginners Chase. He has faced some very tough tasks in three runs to date over fences, but certainly ran with real credit when third behind No More Heroes on the first occasion, and, to some degree, when a promoted fourth behind Alisier D’Irlande last time, carrying 13lbs overweight.
This is his easiest assignment over fences and, given his stable has hit form recently, he should prove hard to beat. The Winkler is exposed but should run his race, while So Young’s return after a near three-year absence wasn’t without promise and it’ll be interesting to see if he commands much interest in the market for his chasing debut.
