Siegemaster aiming for bold show at Gowran

Dessie Hughes is confident of a bold show from Siegemaster in the Connolly’s Red Mills Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park on Thursday.

The 10-year-old had his limitations exposed when well beaten in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas but takes a marked drop in class into handicap company.

Just as he did when finishing third in the race last year, the gelding is forced to concede weight all round to his rivals, but Hughes still expects him to run a big race.

“He’s in good form and has the same weight he carried last year when he ran a blinder to finish third,” said Hughes.

“Whinstone Boy won it last year and we meet him again, but we gave him nearly two stone that day and we’re a lot better off at the weights this time.

“He should run another good race. We had a hard frost this morning but hopefully by race time we’ll be all right.”

Hughes also declared recent Naas second Ten Fires for the race, but he is currently the first reserve.

“I would have liked to have run him but it looks like he’s going to miss out, unfortunately,” the trainer added.

“Hopefully something might come out and if he does get a run, he’d have an each-way chance as he gets three miles well.”

Eighteen runners are set to go to post for the three-mile handicap, with champion trainer Willie Mullins declaring The Midnight Club, Ballytrim and Pomme Tiepy.

Alpha Ridge, Hangover and Hume River are other notable runners.