THURLES PREVIEW:WILLIE MULLINS'S decision to aim Scotsirish at Thurles today rather than wait for Punchestown at the weekend can pay off with a Grade Two success
Scotsirish is one of a field of 10 for the MacLochlainn Kinloch Brae Chase over two and a half miles and it looks significant that he runs here rather than in Sunday’s Grade Two at Punchestown.
That race is over two miles and Scotsirish put in a career best performance at the minimum distance on his last start at Cork when landing the Hilly Way Chase by 16 lengths. The runner-up that day, Cailin Alainn, lines up too today and should relish the longer trip as well as enjoying a 13lb pull at the weights.
Along with Knight Legend and the Leopardstown runner-up Kilcrea Castle she represents a major threat but preference is still for Scotsirish.
The eight-year-old ran over three miles on his last run at Thurles in November but he looked a much-improved sort at Cork and he has some good form at two and a half from last season including a victory under a big weight at Punchestown.
The Grade Three Coolmore Mares Novice Chase is the main support on a good card and the Cork winner Brotenstown is taken to reverse Fairyhouse form with Moskova from early December.
Faltering Fullback has the rating to win a race like this afternoon’s conditions hurdle and he should be sharper for having finished third to Perce Rock at Limerick over Christmas.
His best form, including a Grade One sixth to Tranquil Sea at last season’s Punchestown Festival, gives him the beating of Noel Meade’s Mythical Prince.
Freneys Well managed to finish fourth to his stable companion Garde Champetre at last season’s Cheltenham Festival and Enda Bolger’s horse should be hard to beat in today’s hunters chase. A warm-up run behind Marcus Du Berlais in a point-to-point at Kilfeacle can put him right for this task.
Part Presenting was a little disappointing behind Weapon’s Amnesty at Limerick on his previous start but might be worth persevering with in the novice hurdle.
TONY McCOYwas left frustrated in his quest for a landmark haul of victories after yesterday's meeting at Leicester was abandoned. McCoy needs three more winners to secure 3,000 National Hunt triumphs in Britain and Ireland. Yesterday's meeting at Exeter was also rained off.
