Warrior Could Be Wound Up For Thyestes Test And Don't Discount Flare Either

I somehow managed to pick out another non-trier last Saturday with Fruits Of Glory, and he is clearly being lined up for something later in the season, more than likely at Fairyhouse over the Easter. Anchored in rear throughout he found trouble when making minor headway and he was never involved. He is one to keep in your tracker for his next three runs, because he certainly has it in him to pick up another small handicap at some stage.

Wounded Warrior goes well in January.

Thursday is the biggest day of the year at Gowran Park, where the Thyestes Chase will be run for the 64th time since its inception all the way back in 1954. One of the nation’s favourite handicap chases is always a popular betting heat, and I managed to find My Murphy who won at a nice price two years ago. We were out of luck last year with Monty’s Meadow, but this time I am backing two and hopefully at least one of them can hit the frame.

When I started writing this piece Wounded Warrior was a 40/1 shot with Paddy Power. That has since been clipped in to 33s, but even so I still think it is worth giving one more chance to this clearly talented, but deeply frustrating, 9yo son of Shantou. He has had more letters than numbers in his form in the past two seasons, but he ran his best race in that period when 6th behind Champagne West in this last year off 152, beaten 22L, and he is 18lb lower now.


If Adam Short’s 7lb claim is taken into account Wounded Warrior is 25lb better off than for last season’s decent run here. Short rode him on his first two runs this season so he has gotten to know the horse, and though he has yet to ride a winner for Gigginstown he has had 4 2nds from just 14 rides. Wounded Warrior will be carrying just 9st 6lb thanks to Short’s claim, and he will think he is running loose at Gowran.

Another cause for optimism regarding Wounded Warrior’s chances is his more than decent record on his first run in January throughout his career. Since making his rules debut in November 2013 his form figures first time up in January read 1126, with the 6th coming in this contest last year. If he is ever going to bounce back to form it will be in this race, and at 33/1 he is worth chancing e/w for small stakes (5 places powers).
 

Denis O'Regan could bring out the best in Flaxen Flare.

Another horse that I am giving another chance to was my fancy for the big handicap chase at Leopardstown over Xmas, Flaxen Flare. Gordon Elliott’s 9yo son of Windsor Knot endured quite a troubled passage that day, and he was never able to land a blow. He finished well down the field, beaten 65L in 18th of 28.

Flaxen Flare could appreciate the return to a slightly smaller field at Gowran, and he will have learned plenty from that first start in a big handicap chase at Leopardstown last time. The handicapper has only eased him a measly pound to 137 after that moderate effort, but on his very smart handicap hurdling form he should be well capable of making an impact off that rating.

Denis O’Regan gave Kopookris a lovely ride to score at Thurles on Sunday and he is a very interesting booking on Flaxen Flare. He rode him to finish 2nd here behind Min over 20f on his penultimate start, and in hindsight perhaps Elliott wanted to give O’Regan a spin on Flaxen Flare because he had him in mind to ride him in this race.

There is no doubt that O’Regan’s quiet style will be ideally suited to this hold up performer, and if he can get him into a nice jumping rhythm out the back there won’t be many travelling better half a mile from home. If Flaxen Flare’s stamina holds out he could run a big one, and at 28/1 he is my second selection for what looks a cracking renewal of the Thyestes Chase (5 places e/w powers).

STEVOS’ SELECTIONS: 15.00 GOWRAN PARK: WOUNDED WARRIOR E/W 33/1                                                                                      FLAXEN FLARE E/W 28/1