1.30pm Thurles Tips & Betting Preview 24/11/2016

Prize money of 8,918 Euros up for grabs in this Novice Hurdle in which the 2 Gigginstown runners look to hold the key. Read on for our experts’ thoughts and betting tips.

IN SUMMARY: Burndown did well to win a Novice event at Wexford 24 days ago staying on nicely. He looks a hardy horse and will run well again with his yard in good form and is just preferred ahead of Dounikos who has done well so far and is bidding for a hat-trick. They could have it between the two of them but the one they will have to beat is BOBARLEE who has won twice this year in fine style and after a creditable run in 2^nd at Wexford last month, may spoil the party now that the Champion Trainer is beginning to hit top form.

1 Jack The Wire – Back-to-back victories at Galway in June and then Listowel in September for a combined winning margin of 6 lengths. Decent form on the face of it but disappointing at Cheltenham in a Handicap 11 days ago when finishing tailed off in 10^th. Up in trip today and will find a few too strong today.

2 Billy’s Hope – Won at Limerick in May, scoring comfortably by 6 ½ lengths and fair form since including placed in her last three. Has a tongue strap on for the first time today and she should run her race but she will find it hard troubling the market principles here.

3 Bobarlee – Two-time winner this Summer, first at Sligo when trouncing a field of 8 by 15 lengths and then scoring nicely at Down Royal by 5 ½. Decent 2^nd at Wexford over three weeks ago when she was not put it the best position to win. Yard has started to hit top form now and has a strong chance of troubling the Gigginstown pair if putting her best foot forward.

4 Dounikos – Put up a career-best to win here on Hurdling debut 3 weeks ago, easily winning by 2 lengths having travelled nicely into the race. Comfortably won at Down Royal under rules last month when scoring by 8 ½ lengths so a hat-trick is firmly on the cards. Will likely put up a bold showing with his stable continuing in fine form but may find it tough to continue winning streak today.

5 Burndown – Got up to win by a short head on only 3^rd start for the yard. Has won 3 times over hurdles under NH rules and a promising individual. Stable is still in good form and has a chance of troubling the top two if coming on again.

6 Dontdelay – Still a maiden after only 4 runs but easy to see why having finished 15^th of 18 at Clonmel in February and then 16^th of 20 next time out at Tipperary. Been off for 7 months and hard to envisage getting involved here.