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Cheltenham Betting: Thursday at Thurles throws spotlight on Festival contenders

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Wayne Bailey goes through today's card at the family track...

If you haven't done so already, now is the time to acquaint yourself with Thurles racecourse, even if it is only through the medium of ATR. Run by the Molony family, Thurles is the last family owned racecourse in Ireland, and its day-to-day running is very much a hands-on business.

Indeed, the general manager of the racecourse Pierce Molony also looks after the catering with his wife Riona. His four daughters will be seen selling racecards, manning the office, sitting at the entrance stalls, or even serving pints to thirsty punters.

In a world of big business and commercialism, it is truly is refreshing to see things done the old fashioned way.

That's not to say that Thurles is by any way amateur. In fact, today sees one of the most important pre-Cheltenham trials in Ireland take place. Clued-up punters will be well aware of Ireland's recent record at the Festival, and our horses once again top a number of the best races - so today's action should be missed at your peril.

The main race in question is the Grade 2 Kinloch Brae Chase over 2m 4f, which takes place at 14:45. Previous winners include Forget the Past, Newmill and Native Upmanship, so that should give an indication of the importance of today's event.

Leading the market are One Cool Cookie and Knight Legend. While the former came out on top the last time this pair met at Down Royal, that race left more questions than answers, as Knight Legend was brought down just as he was about to pounce.

We've a couple of old veterans taking part too in the guise of Hedgehunter and Hi Cloy. While it would be foolish to rule out Hi Cloy, it's fair to say that Hedgehunter's best days are behind him, despite having course specialist Paul Carberry on board. Another top Jockey at Thurles, Ruby Walsh could be in for some place money on Rule Supreme, but having been away since June 2005, the course and distance winner is something of an unknown quantity at this stage. It looks like a fascinating contest, and Knight Legend might just scrape this one. Should he do so, layers will be sure to give his current odds of [85.0] for Cheltenham's Ryanair Chase a nip and tuck.

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Back in November, I highlighted Willie Mullins' record at Thurles, and anyone who followed him here since should now be sitting on a tidy return. Mullins continues the Thurles trend in 2008, and backing his horses have show a profit of £126 to £10 stakes so far in January. He has a number of interesting contenders today, including Capel Lad, in the Gain Horse Feed Hurdle at 13.45. His current price of [3.65] seems about right, with Cosmo King and Fond Of a Drop likely to give him the most work to do.

Another Mullins trained horse Pomme Thiepy, looks set to take the Mares Novice Chase at 15:15. She looked a class act when winning a listed novice chase at Cork in December, and Ruby Walsh should have little difficulty steering her home. Her chances however, are likely to be reflected in her short price, which will no doubt be odds-on.

If there's a trainer who can put a spanner in the works for Mullins today, it's Mouse Morris in the 14.15 novice hurdle. Scavenger looks likely to dominate proceedings here, and Mullins' Cooldine may have to settle for some place money instead.

All in all, it's a very competitive days racing and once again, let's hope the punters have cause for some celebration in the bars afterwards...the pints served of course, by the Molony Family!

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