Timeless Treaty can edge out Open Secret in Thurles tussle
Timeless Treaty and Jack Kennedy win the Thurles Rated Novice Hurdle. Pic: Healy Racing.
The Grade Three BOYLE Sports Michael Purcell Memorial Novice Hurdle, the feature race at Thurles on Thursday, has attracted a field of just four runners, two of whom are trained by Gordon Elliott.
And the stablemates look likely to fight out the finish with Timeless Treaty narrowly preferred to Open Secret.
Victorious in his first two career starts, Timeless Treaty ended a five-race losing streak in style when running out a 24-length winner over course and distance two weeks ago.
He does, however, have a 6lb penalty to carry for that runway success and that should ensure Open Secret gives him plenty to think about.
An impressive winner at Naas in December, he ran a fine race in defeat when fourth in Grade Two company at Cheltenham last month.
There shouldn’t be much between the pair at the finish but stable jockey Jack Kennedy has opted to partner Timeless Treaty over Open Secret and he tends to get these tight calls right more often than not. On that basis, Timeless Treaty gets the vote.
The nap comes from the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden Hurdle where, sporting a first-time hood, Rusty Harkness can make it third time lucky.
Fourth of 16 on debut over two miles at Naas in November, the Henry de Bromahead-trained Walk In The Park gelding then finished third over two and a miles at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting, shaping as though a further step up in distance would see him to better effect.
He gets that on Thursday, running over a trip a furlong shy of three miles, a test of stamina he looks sure to relish.
It could be a good day for De Bromhead as Mary O’G has obvious claims in the finale, a mares’ bumper.
This horse made a promising debut at Cork last month, finishing a close third behind Moonverrin, a subsequent winner at the Dublin Racing Festival.
She won’t have to improve on that effort to land this prize so it’ll be a surprise if she is turned over.
1.32 Rockbrook
2.07 Karia Des Blaises
2.42 Nolans Rocco
3.17 Timeless Treaty
3.52 Rusty Harkness (Nap)
4.23 I’m Flattered
4.53 Mary O’G (NB)
1.32 Glenashling
2.07 Tareze
2.42 Plain Or Battered
3.17 Open Secret
3.52 How's The Head
4.23 Duke Otto
4.53 C'est Elle
