The Thyestes Handicap ‘Chase is the first of the big prizes to be contested here in Ireland this week and as expected a numerous and competitive field has been assembled. Many of the runners contested the Paddy Power Handicap at Leopardstown in December, which in contrast to today’s race was run on good ground. Gowran is a course where the ground can turn heavy rapidly and the fences require much concentration if they are to be negotiated safely.
The market is headed up by two relative novices in GLAM GERRY and START ME UP. Both ran solid races in handicap company last time out but neither of their rounds of jumping were blemish free. ADAMS ISLAND has come in for support late on but at around 8-1, does he really have half the chance that ZARKANDAR has in the Betfair Hurdle, a horse we know is progressive and potentially very well handicapped? The Mullins stable is again well represented in a valuable handicap ‘chase. SHAKERVILZ is the best of the entry but unfortunately he has the weight to prove it. I wasn’t overly impressed with SOME TARGET’s fencing at Leopardstown, in a race in which ON HIS OWN was brought down once beaten. I believe ON HIS OWN remains a horse of great potential but it has to be wondered if this afternoon’s slog will bring out the best in him. QUADRILLON jumped nicely and held a prominent position until being outpaced two from home in the same Leopardstown contest. The good ground that day would have been against him and with a very handy racing weight he can be competitive. On the two occasions he has run this season he has been pitched into fiercely competitive handicaps suggesting that those closest to him still feel he has potential to progress. His price is better than 40-1 on the exchanges and therefore qualifies as a speculative each way selection.
Recommended bet: 3:05 Gowran Park, QUADRILLON 25-1 or better, each way.