‘The 16s for Cheltenham could go very fast’ – Adrian fancies one at Thurles

One of the most fascinating races on Sunday might not be a graded race or even a big handicap for that matter, but in fact might be a hunters’ chase at Thurles Racecourse. Well, for me anyway!

The final race on the card sees Cheltenham hero Billaway run for Willie Mullins, but I don’t think he is going to have it all his own way. Before we move on to the race in question, you can find all of Sunday’s free horse racing tips on the website now.

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4.10 Thurles

Willie Mullins’ Billaway won the Hunters’ Chase at Cheltenham in March of last year before landing the Irish equivalent at Punchestown a few weeks later. He has been a cracking servant to connections but I think he might come undone at Thurles on Sunday.

Fermanagh based trained David Christie specialises in these races and it must be telling that his stable star Winged Leader is not lining up in this race. He should have won at Cheltenham last March, but we won’t get into that!

Winged Leader battered Billaway in this race last year so it is interesting that he now throws the up and coming Ferns Lock into the ring with him this year instead.

Ferns Lock is a dual winner in points and could not have been more impressive when bolting up in a hunters’ chase at Fairyhouse in November. This horse could be absolutely anything but I think he could lower Billaway’s mast here.

If you are brave enough, Ferns Lock is 16s for the Cheltenham showpiece in March, and if he wins at Thurles on Sunday he will be much much shorter.

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