The Goffs Thyestes Handicap Chase is considered one of the most competitive handicaps in the entire Irish calendar, with its roll of honour including the likes of Arkle, Flyingbolt and Hedgehunter. The 2022 renewal promises to be another cracker, and in anticipation of this our racing editor has provided an in-depth preview of the race. Check this out, alongside an exclusive bet365 sign up offer.
MULLINS’ CHANCES
Unsurprisingly, this has proven a good race for Willie Mullins down the years. The top trainer has landed five of the last ten renewals, most recently with Total Recall in 2020.
He has five confirmed entries for this year’s renewal, as well as the second reserve.
Jockey bookings suggest that the Paul Townend ridden Franco De Port could prove the stable first string. The 7yo remains relatively unexposed, particularly over staying trips, and although only 7th in both starts this season those runs came at Grade 1 level, so this represents a fairly significant drop in class.
Mullins also sends Ladbrokes Trophy 4th Ontheropes over to contest this contest, the Cheveley Park owned gelding also struggled at the top level last time but he’s back in handicaps here with cheekpieces applied and both wins have been gained when racing this way round (0-4 left-handed).
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GIGGINSTOWN BID FOR MORE THYESTES SUCCESS
Owners Gigginstown House Stud have landed two of the last four renewals of the Thyestes and are responsible for four of the entrants in this year’s race, along with third reserve Defi Bleu.
Their Coko Beach took last year’s Thyestes and went on to land a Grade 2 at Navan. He hasn’t been at his best this season but may have been trained with this race in mind and the likes of Priests Leap (2008, 2009) and On His Own (2012, 2014) have landed multiple renewals of the Thyestes in recent years.
A mark 9lb above last year’s winning one doesn’t make life particularly easy for Coko Beach, however, and therefore the Gigginstown number one may be Diol Ker, who was beaten just a half-length in the Galmoy Hurdle on this card last year. Although a 0-7 record over chasing admittedly doesn’t scream winner, this is his first start handicapping and he’s rated 15lb below his hurdles mark of 150.
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SMART SECOND SEASON CHASERS BID TO BOUNCE BACK
Rachael Blackmore is yet to win the Thyestes, but she bids to correct that with Eklat De Rire, who hasn’t been seen since finishing pulled up when sent off the favourite for the Ladbrokes Trophy back in November.
Eklat De Rire finished one spot ahead of Escaria Ten when the pair met in a Naas Grade 3 last January. The latter was subsequently sent off favourite for the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, and although only third there, the form has worked out particularly well since.
A mark of 151 should prove within reach for Escaria Ten, albeit he does have a little to prove having failed to complete in the Irish National when last seen, and this is a tough ask against race-fit rivals.
Longhouse Poet has proven the ante-post plunge for this contest, having had last year’s Thyestes runner-up, Run Wild Fred, behind when scoring at Punchestown back in December 2020. He was only 7th at Limerick when last seen, but if that run has sufficiently blown off the cobwebs he could prove well handicapped off a mark of 145.
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BIG RACE VERDICT
Although three successive non-completions is an obvious concern, Chris’s Dream was a level above these at his peak and has course form courtesy of a Grade 2 win just under two years ago. Preference instead goes to BRAESIDE, however, who caught the eye at Leopardstown over Christmas. The 8yo would have found that ground quick enough and returned to a softer surface representing last season’s winning trainer/jockey combination he rates the one to beat. Longhouse Poet ran better than the bare result on reappearance and can provide the selection with most issues, whilst Ex Patriot looks more than capable of replicating his 2020 4th.
1. BRAESIDE
2. Longhouse Poet
3. Chris’s Dream
4. Ex Patriot
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