Better Times Ahead carries strong Thyestes credentials at Gowran Park
Better Times Ahead is aiming to complete a hat-trick of wins in the Grade Three Goffs Thyestes Handicap Chase at Gowran Park. Pic:Â Healy Racing
Better Times Ahead ticks plenty of boxes in a typically competitive renewal of the Grade Three Goffs Thyestes Handicap Chase.
Trained by Kinsale-based handler Robert Tyner for JP McManus, the nine-year-old will make the journey to Gowran Park looking to complete a hat-trick after two successful trips to Fairyhouse in November.
The first of those wins came in a handicap hurdle over three miles before Better Times Ahead went back over fences to justify 3-1 favouritism in the Porterstown Handicap Chase, digging deep to beat Will Do by a neck having encountered trouble in running.
The first of those wins came on heavy ground while his Porterstown win came over a marathon trip so he should have no issues coping with the testing conditions he’ll face in the Thyestes.
A further positive is that, unlike many of his market rivals, Better Times Ahead gets in at the foot of the weights so a big run looks likely.
There are, however, no shortage of dangers.
The Terence O’Brien-trained Answer To Kayf won the Troytown in November and warrants plenty of respect while Willie Mullins runs five in his bid to win the race for a record-extending 11th time.
Captain Cody would probably prefer better ground but his Scottish National triumph shows he handles a marathon trip and the fact Paul Townend chose him ahead of High Class Hero and Quai De Bourbon can only be viewed as a positive for his prospects.
Another worthy of consideration is the Joseph O’Brien-trained Jordans, a horse who ended last season by finishing second to Caldwell Potter in the Grade One Mildmay Novices’ Chase at Aintree.
He hasn’t tackled fences since but he shaped well over hurdles at Leopardstown last month, a run that should have put him spot-on for this assignment.
Like Better Times Ahead, Staffordshire Knot is on a hat-trick and the Gordon Elliott-trained eight-year-old can complete it by winning the Grade Two John Mulhern Galmoy Hurdle.
He hasn’t always been the more reliable in the past but he has really got his act together this season, finishing a close third at Naas on his first start of the campaign before winning impressively at Punchestown and Clonmel.
The only slight negative is Jack Kennedy opting to partner stablemate Gerri Colombe instead but that horse has something to prove after being pulled up in the Savills Chase last month on his first run after a 421-day layoff.
On that basis, last year’s winner Rocky’s Diamond is feared more for all that his last two runs were somewhat underwhelming.
Even if he falls short in the Thyestes, it should be another good day for Willie Mullins and Funiculi Funicula should get off the mark over fences in the Daly Farrell Accountants Beginners Chase.
He was expected to make a winning start to life over the bigger obstacles at Naas last month but could only manage third. However, many Closutton horses have needed their first run this season and it’ll be a surprise if Funiculi Funicula fluffs his lines again.
And in the bumper, stablemate Our Trigger, a full-brother to the top-class Gaelic Warrior, can preserve family honour by getting the better of Huntin Boots.
12:40 IfallgoeswellÂ
1:20 Well DelÂ
1:45 Staffordshire Knot (Nap)Â
2:20 WestoftignesÂ
2:55 Funiculi Funicula (NB)Â
3:30 Better Times AheadÂ
4:05 Our TriggerÂ
12:40 Dunleer CrystalÂ
1:20 The Lovely ManÂ
1:45 Rocky’s DiamondÂ
2:20 King BobÂ
2:55 King AlexanderÂ
3:30 Jordans
4:05 Huntin Boots
