The Job Is Right For Thyestes On Thursday!

It may not come as a surprise that Willie Mullins trained three winners of Gowran Park’s Thyestes Handicap Chase during the last 10 years,

…and the mast handler has been backed once more to land Thursday’s big prize (3.15pm).

Willie Mullins
While usually well represented in big races, punters have been given a clue as to how Mullins’ main fancies, as he enters just two runners – Djakadam (3/1) and Dogora (20/1).

The former has been the subject of money since betting opened, and this 6yo looks to have been prepared for Gowran Park since finishing eighth (of 19) in Newbury’s Hennessy Gold Cup on his seasonal reappearance (3m2f, soft) a few months ago.

A Grade 2 novice winner last season (2m5f), Djakadam was backed to win at Newbury before letting down backers, who have steamed in once more. Djakadam may win this, but having fallen prior to being beaten 28l at Newbury, he has a bit to prove at 3/1, suggesting there could be value elsewhere, especially as favourites haven’t the greatest record in this race…

Trends Summary
Of the last 10 Thyestes Chase winners…

10 were Irish-bred
10 had been absent for 16-60 days
9 were non-favourites
9 were 8-11yo’s
9 carried 10st10lb or lighter
9 had 2-10 handicap chase runs – others were 1-71
9 were non-winners last time out
8 ran in a Graded race last time out
W Mullins trained 3 winners
Those that arrived via Punchestown or Navan were 0-31

Tony Martin
Not many winners of the Thyestes won last time out, which could be a good omen for Tony Martin’s Gallant Oscar (5/1), who has been runner-up the last twice over hurdles. A 3m handicap chase winner on soft ground 10 months ago, this 9yo has the look of an improver who, with a record of 2-5 over fences, should have more to come.

Another of the leading fancies is Jessica Harrington’s Sadlersflaure (7/1), a 9yo who arrives in form having been beaten jus over 3l in a decent handicap chase at Punchestown last month (2m6f, yielding). That was only his first outing for Harrington since leaving France (won 4 chases there), and he should be thereabouts.

Big-Priced Winners
But, with winners of this race popping up at 12/1, 25/1, 10/1, 16/1 20/1, 20/1 and 16/1 in the last eight renewals, the likes of Goonyella (12/1) cannot be overlooked. A winner over 3m6f when last successful 21 months, he has slipped back down to a nice mark.

Further down the weights is Sword Fish, a 9yo who won a handicap chase over this trip at Fairyhouse three weeks ago. Effective in the mud, he is in good form having been beaten only a short head prior to that win, and it’s no surprise to see recent money pushing him into 14/1.

But, should there be an emotional winner, then Charlie Swan’s, Make A Track (14/1), could be the one for a trainer who is set to retire. Swan’s 9yo kept on well over 2m4f in a valuable handicap over Christmas and will enjoy this step back up in trip.

Recommended Bets

With double-figure winners doing well in this race, odds of 12/1 about The Job Is Right look attractive following his fourth in a valuable handicap over Christmas

…where he was only 2l behind the subsequent Boylesports Handicap Chase winner, Foxrock. He handles conditions and looks solid.