Thurles tips: Lecky Watson can make winning hurdling start
MORE REQUIRED: Winner of a Clonmel bumper in April, Shannon Royale will need to step forward considerably on his underwhelming hurdling debut if he is to be get the better of Lecky Watson in Thurles on Thursday. Picture: Healy Racing
Easily the most interesting race on Thursday’s card in Thurles is the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden Hurdle in which Lecky Watson makes his hurdling debut. Willie Mullins’ now five-year-old was a smart sort in bumpers and even though he did not manage to win one, he wasn’t far off the best of last year’s crop as he finished fourth in the Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival.
He has plenty of size and scope and looks the type to improve over obstacles. The very best of him may have to wait until he goes over fences, but he has more than enough ability to make the grade as a hurdler and this is a superb opportunity to put a first winning mark on his card.
Shannon Royale, who won a Clonmel bumper in April, made his hurdling debut last month and finished second behind Skradin. While he was conceding weight to the winner and many of Gordon Elliott’s runners have been patently in need of their first run of the season, that was a disappointing effort, and he will have to step up tremendously to get the better of Lecky Watson, to which he is giving 8lbs.
Rushmount is worth noting in the market. Runner-up in both outings in point-to-points, from which each winner has since won a maiden hurdle in Britain, he comes from the stable of Jonathan Sweeney, who seldom wastes a trip to the track. That said, this is quite a decent race for the time of year, and he will have to be smart to make a winning debut.
The Two-Mile Borris Handicap Hurdle is a competitive affair, but Destivelle posted a good effort in defeat over course and distance on her most recent start and if she can run to a similar level today, she can get off the mark.
On that recent outing, Shane Ryder’s filly was arguably a little unlucky as she ran into trouble between the last two hurdles and that allowed the eventual winner, Star Official, to get away from her. She ran on well and while she never looked likely to bridge the gap, she pulled considerably clear of the remainder. Just a four-year-old, she can improve further and is preferred to Brownstone, Herculaneum and Duke Otto.
Chautuaqua, who is having her first run for Philip Byrne, can gain an overdue first win over obstacles in the Ballagh Mares’ Handicap Hurdle. She ran at the Listowel festival, where she attracted plenty of support. She held every chance that day but appeared to need the run as she faded back to be a well-beaten third behind Aeros Luck.
With the run under her belt and with the more testing ground to her liking, the Clonmel bumper winner can put a first hurdling victory on her card. Atimetodream was an easy winner last time and has claims again.
12:55 Song For My Father
1:30 Name Me Famous
2:05 Symbas Spirit
2:40 Destivelle (nap)
3:15 Chautuaqua (NB)
3:50 Lecky Watson
4:25 Charlie Buckett
12:55 Battle Away
1:30 Gali Flight
2:05 Missus Beeton
2:40 Brownstone
3:15 Atimetodream
3:50 Shannon Royale
4:25 A Tipp For Gold
