The opening action at Thurles on Saturday is the 13:40 which is a Maiden Hurdle. It’s a massive field with 19 entered for the contest.
It’s just shy of a 2-mile trip that the competitors will be taking on.
Fakiera was shortening on Friday at the head of the market, shifting to odds-on ahead of the contest.
Thurles Saturday 13:40 Race Odds
Fakiera 10/11
Politesse 5/2
Arthurian Fame 4/1
Ruinous 10/1
Nero Rock 16/1
Ran Rite 20/1
Blanketontheground 28/1
Giftentokate 33/1
Feelgood Island 40/1
100/1 bar
* (betting odds taken from Betfred at 15:32 GMT on Friday, 20th March)
Horse Racing Betting at Betfred
Table of Contents
The Favourite: Fakiera
Fakiera has opened his hurdling career with two good showings. He has taken back to back second-place finishes at Naas and Leopardstown for trainer Gordon Elliott.
His last trip was over 2m 2f so will be dropping back in distance a little bit here. But he is showing a lot of promise and seems to keep on well.
Fakiera has moved into a 10/11 odds-on position* (betting odds taken from Betfred at 15:32 GMT on Friday, 20th March).
Politesse
Mare Politesse takes her first steps into hurdling. She has looked very good and very progressive in her bumper efforts. She claimed a win in the most recent which was a 2m trip here at Thurles.
So that should put her in very good stead. She’s well-bred and should be respected for this hurdles debut at 5/2* (betting odds taken from Betfred at 15:32 GMT on Friday, 20th March)
Arthurian Fame
Arthurian Fame brings a little more hurdling experience to the table than those ahead of him in the market. This will be the fourth trip over the hurdles for the five-year-old.
Needs to rediscover a little bit of form though after a poor trip at Colonel in late February having gone up in weight. That was in a 2m 2f contest.
Potential if he can find his footing at 4/1, but distance may be an issue* (betting odds taken from Betfred at 15:32 GMT on Friday, 20th March).
Ruinous
Didn’t manage to win any of his three point-to-point efforts did Ruinous before stepping up to the hurdles. He opened with a debut seventh at Navan on a 2m trip, but then improved for a third at Clonmel.
That was a run that he needed and could bring decent place claims for this contest. Ruinous be open to progress and hits double figures at 10/1* (betting odds taken from Betfred at 15:32 GMT on Friday, 20th March).
Blanketontheground
Blanetontheground has put together some respectable efforts over the hurdles. In his last two, he has taken second at Gowran and a fourth-place at Navan. That last run was at 2f further than this trip is going to be.
Granted he does look as if he will need to find a little improvement to get in the mix for the win, but place claims are there at 28/1 e/w* (betting odds taken from Betfred at 15:32 GMT on Friday, 20th March)
Worthy Mentions
RAN RITE has posted one victory from seven previous points to points. Will be taking on just his second hurdle challenge after finishing four at Thurles over 2m in early March. He outran his 40/1 odds on that occasion.
DIVINE APPROACH just needs to put a solid run together. He has to pull up last time out at Wexford because of the saddle slipping after the first. That was the second hurdle effort after finishing at the back of the field on a Naas debut.
Predictions & Tips
It’s hard to deny that this race is going to be all about Fakiera who easily brings the hurdles form. He is building very nicely over the hurdles for Gordon Elliot and would not be winning out of turn.
There should be some big pressure from Politesse though as she looks to build on her bumper win at Thurles last month. Hurdling debut for her it is though, so that leads us back to Fakiera as the pick.
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