Lilly Looks Too Big At Thurles

Top Pocket went agonisingly close at Kempton for the blog earlier this evening and to be honest I still can't believe he didn't go by. He was run exactly as I had hoped and Keniry looked to have a double handful coming into the home straight as his rivals floundered. However, the eventual winner battled on dourly and just edged out Top Pocket on the nod. He returned at 16/1 so at least he rewarded each way support, but it could have been so much better!

There is some decent action on both sides of the pond tomorrow and Killaro Boy, who I tipped up here on his last run when he finished just out of the money in 4th at a huge price, goes to post in a 2m6f maiden hurdle at Thurles. The hood has been applied, which is an unknown, and while Lynch keeps the faith I think I will just watch him for tomorrow, unless he drifts out to 25/1 or bigger.

One horse I will be backing at Thurles is Rock On Lilly, a lightly raced 6yo daughter of Westerner who goes in the (80-95) 2m6f handicap hurdle at 4.25. This mare is nicely bred and her full brother Total Recall won a maiden for Sandra Hughes and was 3rd in a Grade 2 (both 20f heavy). Her Dr Massini dam is out of a half sister to Grade 1 (20f) winning hurdler  Bimsey, and it is a very attractive national hunt pedigree.

This mare has been brought along steadily and after moderate runs in a bumper and 3 maidens at 2m she was stepped up to today's trip over course and distance for her handicap debut on heavy ground. She gave trouble at the start that day and proved a difficult ride, and she eventually finished well beaten down the field. She was given a couple of months off before returning to the scene of the crime a fortnight ago and she put up a much better display.

She was beaten over 30L in 4th, and they finished strung out like the washing, but it was a big step up on what she had shown previously and Brian Hayes, who was on that day, keeps the ride here. She went well for a long way that day before weakening late on, and seeing as it was her first run in a couple of months she should strip a lot fitter tomorrow. She has been dropped a pound for that run to 83, and given her lovely pedigree it will be disappointing if she can't make an impact. Donohue had one placed at nice odds at Naas last week, and hopefully he can repeat the trick with Rock On Lilly, who is currently priced up at 25/1.

STEVOS' SELECTION: 4.25 THURLES ROCK ON LILLY E/W 25/1