Taunton
1.20 Dualla Lord could well take this. He is back over hurdle after falling on his last start over fences. He is bound to be a short price coming from the Paul Nicholls yard though. There may be excuses for some of Theatrical Star’s defeats and he could figure at a bigger price.
3.20 Third Intention and Bally Legend are my two against the field.
3.50 Get It On has been in the first two in all his last 4 completed starts.
Thurles
1.35 Follow the Plan won this last season by a neck from Roberto Goldback. He has since won the Guinness Gold Cup at Punchestown and is useful on a going day. Apt Approach is a real mudlark and comes here on a hat trick. Roberto Goldback has hinted at a return to form on his last two starts and is narrowly preferred to the other pair.
From the archives
The 1.35 at Thurles gets its name from the first ever winner of the race Kinloch Brae. He was then made favourite for the Cheltenham Gold Cup but was a faller. In recent years Native Upmanship completed a hat trick of wins in the race all at odds on favourite. He also won the 2002 Melling Chase at Aintree.
ahorse 