Paul Callaghan’s Gowran Park Thyestes Day Tips – Thursday 28th January

Former jockey turned broadcaster Paul Callaghan previews the Galmoy Hurdle and Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park on Thursday.

2.20 John Mulhern Galmoy Hurdle (Grade 2) over 3 miles.
I think Great White Shark is opposable. Her best form is later in the spring, around March time, continuing on towards October. So for that reason, I’m going to overlook the Willie Mullins trained mare.

Burrows Saint will strip fitter and a lot less gassy than he was, when finishing a 45 length second behind Mary Frances, when the pair met at Clonmel on December 3rd. That was Burrows Saint’s first run since New Year’s Eve 2019, so he should come on for that run.

Mary Frances has had one run since that victory at Clonmel, where she only beat one finisher home in a Grade 3 mares hurdle at Leopardstown over the Christmas period. Mary Frances is partnered by BoyleSports’ horse racing ambassador, Robbie Power and is probably overpriced as she will love the testing conditions.

However, it is the Noel Meade trained Diol Ker, ridden by Sean Flanagan who gets the vote.

He’s two victories from four starts over hurdles, one of those wins came on his last run at Limerick over 2 miles and 4 furlongs on the 26th of December.

He looked beaten jumping the second last but rallied and hit the line strong under young Michael Stenson, suggesting this step up to 3 miles will be right up his street.

He’s had three runs over fences as well as three in point to points, but overall, the 7 year-old son of Martaline has little miles on the clock so there should be more to come and he will relish the testing underfoot conditions.

3.25 Goffs Thyestes Handicap Chase (Grade A) over 3 miles 1 furlong.
I’m with Acapella Bourgeois for the trainer/jockey combination of Willie Mullins and Paul Townend. Despite running a cracker in last year’s renewal, he ended up finishing sixth off a handicap mark of 152.

The race was won by Total Recall, who received a rating of 158 for last year’s success.

Acapella Bourgeois won the Grade 3 Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse last February, on heavy ground, beating Bellshill (rated 153) by 15 lengths, before following Al Boum Photo home at Tramore on New Year’s Day.

I find him difficult to oppose as I don’t think there are many who are unexposed lining up.

Of the others, Spyglass Hill was comfortably held behind Annamix (rated 153) on his latest outing, which came at Gowran Park over 2 miles and 4 furlongs, back in November. He’ll need to improve on the back of that run.

Coko Beach tried 3 miles once in his career, which was over hurdles, when he was beaten, when falling at the last flight. That run came at Navan in December 2019.

He was since a good second in a beginners’ chase, behind Pencilfulloflead at Galway last October over an extended 2 miles and 6 furlongs. He gave the impression that day, that this trip would suit but he has been beaten in all three runs since, so that doesn’t inspire me to invest.

Discordantly ran well for a long way, despite being keen for much of the journey, when finishing ninth of eighteen finishers at Leopardstown on December 27th.

He is not overly keen but he has a tendency to race in the riders’ hands, thus tiring towards the business end. If Discordantly settles for Robbie Power, I think he’ll run a nice race off a handy weight of 10 st 9 lbs.

Bet here.