Burke: Thyne Again for Fairyhouse

Liam Burke’s exciting prospect Thyne Again will bid to bounce back to winning ways in the Normans Grove Chase at Fairyhouse on Sunday week.

The eight-year-old was a Grade One winner during his novice chase season and made the perfect start to the new campaign when scoring by 20 lengths in a Grade Three contest at Naas.

A dirty scope saw him sidelined for a couple of months but he ran a fine third on his comeback in the Paddy Power Dial-A-Bet Chase, a performance which delighted his County Cork handler.

“He’s in great form and all being well he will head to Fairyhouse on Sunday week,” said Burke.

“We were delighted with him at Leopardstown as he was not 100% going into the race and he was forced to miss the John Durkan because of a dirty scope, but that’s just the way it goes.”

The gelding is engaged in the Champion Chase, Ryanair Chase and the Gold Cup at the Cheltenham Festival and Burke is still undecided which way to go.

“I suppose it will more than likely be the Ryanair but we will see what the ground is going to be before deciding for certain,” Burke continued.

“The Ryanair is probably the most competitive race but it could be the right option for him. The Champion Chase looks a one-horse race and really we would be chasing place money there.

“The plan is to run in the Irish Hennessy after Fairyhouse to see how he copes with the trip and if he went very close you would have to consider the Gold Cup.

“He does have plenty of pace so if he stays as well then it will be great as he will have it all.”