The Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park had a huge bearing on the remainder of the 2024/25 National Hunt season, as it produced last year’s Grand National hero in Nick Rockett, who was victorious for Willie Mullins.
This year’s renewal looks similar in kind, with plenty of potential for future star handicappers, or even Graded performers, to emerge, and our tipster Joe Napier has taken a look at everything you need to know for the 2026 Thyestes Chase below.
2026 Thyestes Chase Runners
In similar fashion to last year, Willie Mullins has numerous chances to win the Thyestes Handicap Chase. Paul Townend has opted to ride Scottish National hero Captain Cody as he did at Leopardstown where he was a respectable seventh at a time the yard could do no right. However, both Gigginstown-owned runners for Mullins, Quai De Bourbon and Shanbally Kid are thorough stayers, while top-weight High Class Hero fits his name and could well have a big handicap success in him based on his third in last year’s bet365 Gold Cup. Spanish Harlem won the Kerry National earlier this season for Mullins too, having also gone well in other staying handicaps in the past, though has the biggest ground query about him.
Others of note are the improving JP McManus-owned Better Times Ahead, who chases a hat-trick for Robert Tyner, while Gigginstown boast two more chances with Gordon Elliott. Search For Glory has twice been second this season in Listed Leopardstown handicaps but promises to be even better suited by this test, while Will Do was beaten just a neck by Better Times Ahead in the Porterstown Handicap Chase at Fairyhouse over 3m6f last time out. Former Irish Grand National winner Intense Raffles will also seek to get back on track here, while Gavin Cromwell’s whole yard attempts to find form courtesy of 2024 Grand National Trial winner Yeah Man and the well-handicapped Now Is The Hour.
2026 Thyestes Chase Racecard
15:30 Gowran Park
HeavyGoffs Thyestes Handicap Chase (Grade 3)
- First Prize: €59000
- 3m 1f 0y
- 18 runners
- Win time: 7m 10s
8/1 (Won)
- Win: €11.90
- Place: €2.50
17/2
- Place: €2.40
33/1
- Place: €7.80
10/1
- Place: €3.10
20/1
10/1
9/1
9/1
7/2F
12/1
28/1
9/1
33/1
16/1
33/1
11/1
20/1
20/1
Non-runners
Lonesome Boatman, Uncle Pat, Beaufort Scale
+o+e Betting Returns
| Payout | |
|---|---|
| Exacta | €93.90 |
| Straight Forecast | €78.94 |
| Tricast | €2211.18 |
| Trifecta | €3709.30 |
Selections
TOPSPEED:
Will DoSPOTLIGHT:
JordansThe Irish Sun:
Quai De BourbonRP RATINGS (IRE):
Intense RafflesPOSTDATA:
Will DoThyestes Chase Trends
We look at some of the key trends to help you towards the winner of the Thyestes Handicap Chase at Gowran Park on Thursday.
- Willie Mullins has won four of the last seven renewals
- Of that quartet, three were the first-choice on jockey bookings
- All four carried at least 11st 4lb to glory
- Eight of the last ten winners have been aged eight or above
- None of the last seven winners had won last time out and only one of them had hit the frame
Thyestes Chase Tips
In a race Willie Mullins now targets with ambitions for later on in the season, Captain Cody is the choice of Paul Townend, with the yard’s stable jockey tending to choose right in recent renewals. However, at bigger odds, Shanbally Kid could well be dangerous under Brian Hayes having won so impressively on his first start at a marathon distance at Punchestown last season. The frame can be completed by Search For Glory, who should relish conditions, though if Gavin Cromwell’s form were to pick up remotely, both Now Is The Hour and Yeah Man can be dangerous.
FAQs
When and where will the Thyestes Chase be run?
The Thyestes Chase will take place at Gowran Park racecourse on Thursday 22 January, 2026 at 3.30pm.
How can I watch the Thyestes Chase on Thursday?
The Thyestes Chase will be shown live on Racing TV at 3.30pm.
Who is Joe Napier?
Joe Napier is the deputy editor of GG who gives tips and opinion throughout the week. He has been writing for GG for over four years and is hugely passionate about racing.
When were the Thyestes Chase tips published?
The tips for the Thyestes Chase were published at 3.50pm on Tuesday 20 January.
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