Jane Mangan’s William Hill blog: Thyestes Chase Day preview

William Hill ambassador Jane Mangan previews the action from Gowran Park on Thyestes Chase Day.

Gowran Park, Thursday

We start with a competitive affair, in a two-mile handicap hurdle (1:38pm) for horses rated under 100, which has attracted a large field. Philip Rothwell and Tiernan Power-Roche paired up for a winner at Thurles on Sunday and I think they will succeed again here with Ar Nos Na Gaoithe. The mare was fourth behind Falcon Park at Punchestown last time; that looked a step in the right direction. Paddy Hanlon was on board that day, but with the talented conditional taking the ride here, he’s off a featherweight ten stone, taking his valuable claim into account, and I believe she will enjoy the conditions.

The Grade Two Galmoy Hurdle (2:13pm) is often a good pointer towards the Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham. This year, I think Hiddenvalley Lake brings the best form into the race. He finished behind Crambo in the Grade One Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot, and if that form is anything to go by, he should be very hard to beat for Henry de Bromhead and Darragh O’Keeffe. He has already won the Grade Two Boyne Hurdle, and I think he’s up to taking this contest as well.

The feature is the Grade Three Thyestes Handicap Chase (2:48pm), which has attracted a maximum field of 18 runners. Gordon Elliott fields five of the entrants and I like one of his runners in the form of Will Do. He ran well behind Perceval Legallois in the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown after travelling strongly before weakening towards the finish. This is only his fifth run over fences; he’s still unexposed and has the benefit of Sam Ewing on board. I can see the track and trip suiting him here. Gordon Elliott has two wins in this race, and I think Will Do will make it a hat-trick.

Willie Mullins saddles a quartet of runners in the beginners’ chase over two-and-a-half miles (3:23pm). I believe Paul Townend may have picked the wrong horse here in Quai De Bourbon, as I was really impressed with Blizzard Of Oz on his first run over fences at Naas. He finished behind Lecky Watson and Slade Steel and the former has franked the form subsequently. I think a more prominent ride could see him to better effect here under Danny Mullins.