In what must be music to the ears of many horse racing fans around the world during this prolonged coronavirus outbreak, Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) have authorised the continuation of fixtures to take place over the next few days, including Thurles on Saturday afternoon.

HRI will be under constant scrutiny to ensure that these “behind closed doors” meetings do not impact on the Irish government’s attempts to deal with the impact of coronavirus, but they are currently deemed a necessity to keep a fragile industry ticking over during these difficult financial times.

Even the terrestrial racing broadcasters are getting in on the act with the UK’s ITV network taking in five of the races from Thurles (1.40-3.40pm) which they will show on their ITV4 channel.

The feature event on the card is the Grade Three Pierce Molony Memorial Novice Chase which takes place at 3.10pm GMT. For those of you thinking of having a flutter, here is your race-by-race preview:

888sport are BOOSTING at least one runner in all FIVE televised races at Thurles - keep up with the latest horse racing odds ahead of Saturday's meeting.

 

1:40pm - Adare Manor Opportunity Maiden Hurdle (5yo+) 2m

The Gordon Elliott-trained Fakiera has the perfect opportunity here to finally break his maiden tag, but after finishing the bridesmaid on his last two runs, there are doubts once again as to whether he can actually finish the job in hand.

POLITESSE won going away at this very venue a month ago and the Fowler family bred mare has been carefully placed once again by her trainer – Mrs Lorna Fowler. There is no doubt that the mare will be on the premises.

The mare Blanketontheground could easily run into a place at a price.

 

2:10pm - www.thurlesraces.ie Hurdle (5yo+) 2m 6½f.

Martin Hassett’s MARY FRANCES got the better of Blast Of Koeman at Punchestown last time out and can follow up in what is not a particularly strong field.

Her Clonmel run this season ties in nicely with The Storyteller who finished an honourable second in the Pertemps Final at The Festival and is by far the strongest form line in the race.

Moyhenna’s jumping has gone to pot so far this campaign, while Karl Der Grosse is an interesting runner on his return for Willie Mullins after being absent for over a year.

Jessica Harrington’s Jetz placed second on this very card twelve months ago.

 

2:40pm - Horse & Jockey Handicap Hurdle (4yo+ 80-95) 2m 6½f.

This is a pretty open handicap hurdle with the majority of the principles players probably coming from the 90+ rated horses in the field.

GOULANE JESSIE just went down to Highest Benefit when they met last time at Fairyhouse at the end of January, and the pair of them should be in the vanguard once again in this contest.

Johnny Little Legs put in an improved performance last time but it is difficult to assess whether he will follow that up, while the seven-year-old Ballea Fox has been running well throughout the months of February and March and holds a solid each-way chance.

 

3:10pm - Pierce Molony Memorial Novice Chase (Grade 3) (5yo+) 2m 2f.

Sizing Pottsie has been a revelation since the start of the year and can put in another bold bid to make it a hat-trick of wins here.

The Henry De Bromhead-trained CAPUCCIMIX is in fine fettle himself this season and the seven-year-old is a good looking prospect going forward, never mind in this - he could be one to watch in 2021 Cheltenham Festival ante-post tips.

His commanding win at Naas last time showed that he can dominate from the front and the others may struggle to peg him back here.

Cut The Mustard has been running consistently all this term and should make his presence felt once more, while the Peter Fahy-trained Duvegan has the potential to pick right up where he left off after a recent break.

 

3:40pm - Duggan Veterinary Handicap Chase (5yo+) 2m 4½f.

Top-weighted Seskin Flyer is a course and distance winner and usually runs a game race at this venue.  He is without a win since last March but it would come as no surprise if he were to remedy that.

The thirteen-year-old SONNY B has been turning back the sands of time this season and gives the overall impression that he just coming to the boil. He is also a course and distance winner and will be hoping to remedy a losing spell lasting four years.

As we all know, J.P McManus like a winner or two and his At Your Ease may well be his best chance of getting one on the Thurles Saturday card. The seven-year-old should come on a ton for his run here at the beginning of the month in the Urlingford Rated Chase.

Kavanagh’s Corner is in a rich vein of form and is sure to be well supported by the betting public.

 

4:10pm - Devil's Bit Beginners Chase (5yo+) 2m 6f.

MACGILONEY was last seen when chasing home Ramses De Teillee at Cheltenham last October and sets the standard here. The seven-year-old has won five times under Rules and will be fit and raring to go after a 147-day break.

The Willie Mullins-trained Max Dynamite has won and run big races on both the Flat and over obstacles and should not be underestimated in this sphere, while Jessica Harrington’s Hotel Du Nord ran his best race for some time last time out at Leopardstown.

Dortmund Park is probably pretty dangerous to dismiss too.

 

4:40pm - www.thurlesraces.ie (Pro/Am) Flat Race (4yo) 2m.

With the Henry De Bromhead-trained Kapard likely to dominate the horse racing tips and betting odds, many punters will be looking for an alternative to the favourite and a horse they can take her on with.

Jenny’s Star, Land Jet and Street Fighter are all obvious challengers, but an each-way chance can be give to the Stuart Crawford-trained MAJOR ROBINSON who has had a fair degree of success in bumpers over the years.

 

*Credit for the main photo belongs to Terrance Williams / AP Photo*

Steven is a sports and horse racing enthusiast and is a member of the Horseracing Writers and Photographers Association (HWPA) in the United Kingdom.

He is a regular visitor to Paris Longchamp for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and a lifelong fan of the Aintree Grand National, a subject he writes about 52 weeks of the year. Last year he reached the impressive milestone of attending the last 30 renewals of the Grand National.