Ballychorus bids to bounce back at Thurles

Ballychorus bids to bounce back from two agonising last-fence falls when she lines up in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Novice Chase at Thurles on Thursday.

Mags Mullins' charge reeled off a hat-trick of victories in the autumn but her jumping let her down at a crucial time in two of the campaign's most competitive handicap chases.

The Barry Connell-owned mare had a narrow lead when crashing out in the Troytown at Navan and was also challenging when coming down in the Paddy Power at Leopardstown.

She looks to have less on her plate now in the four-runner novice contest and should appreciate the drop in grade as she aims to get a clear round under her belt before a proposed trip to Cheltenham for the four-miler.

An official mark of 141 gives her 15lb in hand at the weights over nearest rival Emcon, who herself was a faller on her last outing at this track last month.

She has previously been a close third in a thrilling finish to a Grade Three contest at Navan and looks the one to take advantage if Ballychorus slips up.

Cinder Rua comes into the race having won a maiden hurdle in Ayr on her last start, but she has a fair bit to find on chase ratings - as does Corporate Box, who completes the line-up.

There look set to be a few short-price favourites on the card and Kayf Supreme should open his account in the opening beginners chase.

Jim Dreaper's charge ran well to chase home Bearly Legal in a hot handicap at Leopardstown last time and, dropping back into novice company, appears to have found a weak race.

The Willie Mullins-trained Burgas had to settle for third when sent off favourite for his Irish debut at Fairyhouse and should open his account now in the thurles.ie Maiden Hurdle.

The French import ran into a progressive-looking sort in Uaintseenothingyet last month and seems to face an easier task now.

Team Closutton will also be expecting to collect in the concluding bumper with Augustin, who has not run since being turned over at Clonmel last March when sent off at a short price.

His conqueror then, Sizinguptheamazon, was placed recently over hurdles at Fairyhouse and gets a chance to enhance the form earlier on the card when lining up in the Cashel Maiden Hurdle.