What an incredible week and season it has been for Barry Connell and Michael O’Sullivan, who have gone from rags to riches in the space of a few months in horse racing terms. O’Sullivan rode his first Cheltenham Festival winner aboard Marine Nationale in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle on Tuesday. Although Good Land disappointed the following day, the fantastic partnership combine with one seemingly strong runner at Thurles on Saturday. Check out our free horse racing tips on the website.
Just the 17 runners are set to go to post for this typical Irish maiden hurdle over the two miles and Quirke’s Gate has a golden opportunity to finally get off the mark. Sporting the now famous Marine Nationale colours, Barry Connell’s well bred Blue Bresil gelding has some very interesting form in the book. He finished second to Hunters Yarn in a Naas maiden hurdle in January before finishing fourth of 22 in another competitive race at Punchestown when upped to 2m4f.
Quirke’s Gate didn’t seem to enjoy a sounder surface when fifth in a Leopardstown maiden hurdle earlier in the month, but now back on proper soft ground which French breds typically enjoy, he is a massive player as his best run came on heavy. This does not look like a deep race and there’s certainly plenty of dead wood in it, so it rates as a massive opportunity for this horse to find the winner’s enclosure for the first time, and who would back against this yard at present? Best of luck if you have a play and hopefully he will be a decent price.
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