Irish preview: Nick Rockett ready to make it 10 Thyestes for Mullins
Paul Townend takes the ride on Nick Rockett for Willie Mullins in Thursday's Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park Pic: Ryan Byrne/Inpho
On Thursday afternoon, Gowran Park opens its doors for its feature race on its National Hunt roster, the Goffs Thyestes Chase, and Nick Rockett can give local trainer Willie Mullins a tenth victory in the famous race.
Last time out, on his first outing of the season, the eight-year-old contested the ultra-competitive Paddy Power Handicap Chase at Leopardstown’s Christmas festival and, after racing prominently for a long way, had to settle for fourth place behind Perceval Legallois.
While he was unable to pick up in the closing stages, he stuck to his task well and connections are sure to have been thrilled with the effort. In the ante-post market for that race, he was in single figures, but when it became apparent that he was not the stable’s favoured runner in the race, his odds drifted all the way out to 25-1.
That certainly gave rise to the notion that the run would be badly needed and, with that in mind, he should prove considerably better this time. He went up 2lbs for the Leopardstown defeat but that’s of little concern as he remains unexposed, with just six chase outings under his belt.
He is preferred to Yeah Man and Grandero Bello. The former is particularly interesting as he, like the selection, comes here on the back of a fine effort in a hot handicap on his seasonal debut.
His return was in the Troytown Chase at Navan, in mid-November, and he ran really well to take third place behind Stuzzikini.
His absence since that run is of no concern as he goes particularly well when fresh and, being versatile with regard to ground, it will be surprising if he is not in the shake up.
The nap goes to Quai De Bourbon, who will take a great deal of beating in the Daly Farrell Accountants Beginners’ Chase. One of five runners in the race for Willie Mullins, he was a place behind one of his stablemates here, Chapeau De Soleil, when third to Dee Capo on his seasonal and chasing debut at Leopardstown’s Christmas festival.
All of his form, including that effort, which was over a longer trip than this, suggests he is a strong stayer in the making, and so it can be expected that Paul Townend will make plenty of use of him back over two and a half miles.
Likely in need of that Christmas outing, he is preferred to another stablemate, Blizzard Of Oz, who caught the eye finishing third behind yet another Mullins horse, Lecky Watson, in a beginners’ chase at Naas. He remains a fine prospect and is not to be taken lightly.
The Grade Two John Mulhern Galmoy Hurdle is the second most valuable on the card and Hiddenvalley Lake can land the spoils for Henry de Bromhead.
The lightly raced eight-year-old made his seasonal debut in the Long Walk Hurdle last month at Ascot and ran the race of his life to finish second, beaten just a head, behind Crambo.
The ground won’t be as quick this time, but all of his winning form is in softer conditions and thus there is no reason not to expect another big run. In a staying division crying out for some new blood, he can cement his place as a serious player for the Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham.
1:03 Kish Bank
1:38 Aspurofthemoment
2:13 Hiddenvalley Lake
2:48 Nick Rockett (nb)
3:23 Quai De Bourbon (nap)
3:58 Heliko Conti
4:28 Reckless
1:03 Belle The Tigress
1:38 Falcon Park
2:13 Asterion Forlonge
2:48 Yeah Man
3:23 Blizzard Of Oz
3:58 Jeriko De Baune
4:28 Carrigmoorna Beech
