Veteran To See Them Off At Thurles

It is a quiet weekend ahead of the Christmas madness next week but there is an Irish meeting at Thurles and plenty of prize money to be won at Ascot with a hugely competitive handicap hurdle to close the card.

Watch Out For Mullins
It’ll be interesting to see if Olly Murphy can repeat the feat of last year by winning the Betfair Handicap Hurdle for a second year in a row with an Irish import.

Last year Murphy won the race with Hunters Call when Jack Kennedy travelled over to ride the horse on it’s first start since joining from John Neilan and this year he’ll be hoping lightning can strike twice with Fiesole on his first start since leaving Eoin Doyle.

Doyle won with the six-year-old at Tipperary in October but he was rated 112 when winning easily that day and the BHA Handicapper has taken no chances and raised him 21lbs to 133.

That really is a big ask for Fiesole and maybe it would be worth taking the chance with the sole Irish runner in the field, Tornado Watch.

Big prizes in England are well targeted by Willie Mullins but this time it’s the turn of his nephew Emmet who trains the nine-year-old.

David Mullins goes over to ride the horse for his cousin and while he probably isn’t hiding much from the handicapper he could still produce a career best.

Tornado Watch went to Far Hills to run in the American Grand National and he finished second there picking up a nice few quid behind Jury Duty but this is a race that could suit him.

They won’t hang around here and that should suit Tornado Watch and he could just be staying on well…

after a nice run at Fairyhouse last time and he is a decent price at 12/1.

Veteran To See Them Off At Thurles
Francis Casey’s stable star Eight Till Late has done the stable proud and he could be ready to win again today.

The 10-year-old has top weight as he returns over hurdles at Thurles today but after a good performance to win at Down Royal last month he was stepped up in grade and performed well in good company.

Eight Till Late gave Alpha Des Obeaux a good rattle in a listed chase here before turning out quickly and running in the Troytown. It didn’t fall for him in the Troytown or the Foxrock Handicap Chase a couple of weeks ago but this drop in class could yield more success.

Eight Till Late is a 10 time winner for the Casey’s and he could give them a good Christmas present under Barry Browne who takes off a handy 5lbs.

He should be a good price.

Recommended Bets:
Tornado Watch (12/1) – 3.35 Ascot
Eight Till Late (9/1) – 2.35 Thurles

*Prices correct at time of publication.