Warwick and Gowran Park

The ability to act on heavy ground will be the most important factor today. and the afternoon´s big race, the valuable Thyestes Chase, a 3 miles handicap at 15.35 CET at Gowran Park, will be a gruelling slog under the likely conditions. With a maximum field this looks fiercely competitive.

Tony McCoy flies over from England to partner JP McManus` Arbor Supreme for Willie Mullins, who has a good record in this race and also saddles Homer Wells(David Casey) and Emma Jane (Ruby Walsh). While McCoy and Walsh will undoubtedly be popular, perhaps oldtimer Homer Wells is the value at the likely odds. He is one of three previous winners in the field. Others to consider are the lone British challenger Eric´s Charm (Oliver Sherwood/ Mark Bolger) and Newbay Prop (Tony Martin/ Davy Russell), the ante-post favourite. There could well be some jockey changes at Warwick, as several jockeys could be re-routed from the abandoned Fontwell meeting, such as Richard Johnson or Sam Thomas. The best race, the novice chase at 15.40, has only 5 runners, and should concern chiefly Ring the Boss (Philip Hobbs/ Tom O´Brien?) and Oh Crick (Alan King/ Robert Thornton).

Thornton also partners Topless in the 3 1/4 mile handicap chase at 14.40; Neil Mulholland´s mare was possibly the unluckiest loser of the season when she jinked close home and unseated her jockey a week ago.The handicap hurdle at 16.10 looks quite open. Lady Herries´ consistent Honour High (Andrew Thornton) never runs a bad race but faces a stiff stiff task under top weight. Fair Question (Donald McCain/ Jason Maguire) and hat-trick chasing Heathcliff (Richard Lee/ Oliver Greenall) look more likely. Oscar Jack (Venetia Williams/ Aidan Coleman) appeals as the best bet of the day i the handicap chase a 16.40 following his very easy win at Taunton last week.