Step up in trip can do trick for Minella Sixo at Thurles
NICE TYPE: Minella Sixo ran out an easy winner of a Fairyhouse maiden in early October. Picture: Healy Racing
After an unfortunate run in which it was at the behest of the unseasonably dry weather, Thurles faces a status yellow low temperature and ice warning ahead of its long overdue return on Thursday afternoon.
Should it get the go-ahead, there are some decent races, and the nap goes to the Gordon Elliott-trained Minella Sixo in the I.N.H. Stallion Owners EBF Novice Hurdle. Only four have been declared and only two count and the selection is preferred to the Willie Mullins-trained Mister Pink.
He won a Loughrea maiden on his only outing between the flags and made an immediate impact on the track when running out an easy winner of a Fairyhouse maiden in early October.
He then went to Cheltenham for a novice hurdle and while he was no match for Potters Charm, it was a fine effort for one so inexperienced. That race was over two and a half miles, and he gave the impression he would appreciate a longer trip, which he tackles here. The five-year-old is a fine prospect and can get the better of recent Punchestown maiden hurdle winner Mister Pink.
The latter is two from four in his short career to date and was beaten by a couple of smart sorts when consigned to the runner-up spot on his two other outings. He is open to improvement, should appreciate this trip, and can make a race of it with the selection.
Mullins and Elliott also appear to hold the aces in the Sign Up To GavinLynchRacing.com Qualified Riders’ Maiden Hurdle and again the Elliott runner, Jacob’s Ladder, is just preferred.
Winner of a point-to-point and, less than three weeks ago, a bumper, he must concede weight to Mullins’ runner, Jarrive De Mee, but he gives the impression he can climb the grades over jumps and can put a third win on his card.
Jarrive De Mee won a Curraghmore point-to-point and is worth noting in the market on his track debut.
On what should be a good day for the Elliott team, Jigoro has what looks like quite a straightforward task in the opener, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners’ Chase.
Winner of a maiden hurdle in Navan, he was no match for subsequent Supreme Novices’ Hurdle runner-up and two-time Grade One winner Mystical Power on his next start but ran well in defeat. His season tapered off with below-par efforts at Cheltenham and Punchestown, but this is a significant drop in grade for his chasing debut and he can make an immediate impact.
Caesar Rock, with a rating of 122, ought to be up to winning races over fences but he has just one win in 28 career starts and is a frustrating sort to follow.
12:35 Jigoro
1:05 Someone’s Wish
1:35 Minella Sixo (nap)
2:05 Grooveykindoflove
2:40 Warm In Gorey
3:14 San Aer
3:44 Jacob’s Ladder (NB)
12:35 Caesar Rock
1:05 Andyourbirdcansing
1:35 Mister Pink
2:05 Reina Del Mar
2:40 Boston Rover
3:14 That’s All
3:44 Jarrive De Mee
