Ante-post / Patrick Jupp / 27 January 2011 /

The Thyestes is traditionally one of the most competitive staying chases run in Ireland all season and this year's renewal looks set to be no exception....

The Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown's Christmas meeting contains several rivals who are set to cross swords again and seems the obvious starting point. Majestic Concorde posted a cracking effort under joint top-weight to score at Leopardstown, but was raised 9 lb for that success and would need to put up the performance of a Grade 1 performer to follow up and do a double that hasn't been achieved since Wylde Hide in 1994/95. Two other likely runners who made the frame that day are Pomme Tiepy (third) and Agus A Vic (fourth), and whilst the latter is easy enough to rule out, seemingly summed up by his mark and yet to win outside of hunter chases under Rules, the former is one for the shortlist. She was arguably left with too much to do the way things panned out at Leopardstown and didn't get a hard time when it was clear she couldn't catch the first two either. She's set to race off just 2 lb higher and looks sure to give another good account.

Pomme Tiepy is by no means the only string to Willie Mullins' bow, as Barker, Quiscover Fontaine and The Midnight Club are also towards the head of the market. Barker put a disappointing 2009/10 campaign behind him when winning a listed race at Tramore on his return, but his jumping has let him down on several occasions when faced with stiffer obstacles and he's never really appealed as the type to benefit from a step up to three miles, so he looks one to be against at the current odds. There are also some stamina doubts surrounding Quiscover Fontaine as he's yet to tackle further than 21f, but his style of racing gives hope in that respect and he does look open to further improvement after just a handful of runs in this sphere. The Midnight Club is arguably the most interesting of this trio, however, as he enjoyed a good novice campaign in 2009/10, his best efforts coming when third in the competitive Jewson handicap at Cheltenham and a Grade 1 novice chase at Punchestown. A mark of 140 leaves plenty of room for manoeuvre and he'll be a major player if lining up.

The aforementioned Wylde Hide was a double winner of this race, and since then there have been two others, Bob Treacy and Preists Leap. Whinstone Boy is looking to emulate that trio but in truth, is one for whom it is hard to be positive about, as he had the run of things last year and is now a whopping 20 lb higher in the weights. The second and third that day, Hangover and Siegemaster, are also set to re-oppose. Hangover deserved plenty of credit for finishing second last year, having been left with more to do than the pair he split, but he has suffered off higher marks since and will probably come up short even if back to his best. Siegemaster has compiled a good record in this type of race over the past couple of seasons but has been given no respite by the assessor as a result and minor honours are the best he can hope for.

Of the others, two who are definitely worth keeping on side are Glenquest and Across The Bay. Glenquest hasn't run since finishing second in the Troytown at Navan and is now 6 lb higher in the weights, but there is still plenty to recommend him as he's a straightforward sort who impressed with his attitude when chasing home Jack The Bus, pulling nicely clear of the remainder in the process. He's not had that much racing at three miles either, so could yet have more to give and has to be accorded respect. Across The Bay looks overpriced at [36.0] as he bounced back to form in no uncertain terms when winning over hurdles last time, and though his jumping is an underlying concern, that is more than factored into the price .

RECOMMENDATIONS (this article was originally published on Jan 11 and prices were correct at the time of writing)

Back Glenquest @ 17
Back The Midnight Club @ 17
Back Across The Bay @ 36

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