PICK SIX

Tomorrow sees the 52nd running of Gowran Park´s most important event, the Goulding-sponsored, Thyestes Handicap Chase. Names such as Arkle, Fort Leney, Flying Bolt, Brown Lad and Bannow Rambler appear on the roll of honour for the three-miler and here we take a look at the six most likely contenders to be added as the 2005 winner.

JACK HIGH - Won a bumper and three hurdles in his time under the care of the late Willie Rock. Put up a noteworthy effort in defeat when beaten five lengths into second by Nobody Told Me in the two and a half mile Grade 1 Menolly Homes Champion Novice Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival in 2003. Frustrating to follow when sent chasing initially, but put it all together on his fifth attempt, leading two out and staying on well to cross the line seven lengths in front at Navan last March. Following two outings this season, enjoyed his finest hour back at the Co. Meath track in November. Always travelling and jumping well in the Troytown Chase, Garrett Cotter's mount took over four out, was clear before two out and ultimately coasted home by six lengths. Raised 12Ibs in the ratings for that, Ted Walsh's charge couldn't get in a blow in the Paddy Power last time, keeping on into fourth, eighteen lengths behind the winner, Keepatem. Such form puts him in with a big shout here. Forecast S.P. 6/1

LIVINGSTONEBRAMBLE - Didn't spend long in either the bumper or hurdle spheres, winning at the latter game at his initial attempt in a Fairyhouse maiden in April 2002. Six efforts over the larger obstacles didn't yield a success but persistence paid off at Wexford last November. Looking in need of further than the two and a half mile distance of that race, the son of Supreme Leader went clear on the run in to beat Moscow Court and Kald River by three and a half lengths and a length and a half. Ran well in a conditions chase over the same trip next time before doing plenty of good late work when filling the fifth spot in the Paddy Power Chase at Christmas. Held by Kymandjen (4 1/2L in front in 3rd) and Jack High (1/2L to the good in 4th) on that but no surprise to see him turn the tables on both now. Major contender. Forecast S.P. 6/1

BIZET - This fellow's dam, Annie Sue VI won a chase and a remarkable twenty three point-to-points. Her produce has included the durable multiple victor ?between the flags,' Voldi. Bizet himself made the news for the first time when suspended for forty two days, landing trainer/rider Tony Martin in trouble (1,000 euro fine, banned from riding for 21 days) for insufficient effort after crossing the line fifth in a Down Royal bumper back in November 2002. The following month was a heavily-supported favourite for a Thurles handicap hurdle and ran out a very easy victor. Followed up under a fixed penalty at Limerick five days later and despite a break until the following June, completed a hat-trick off a stone higher mark at Sligo. Was then sent chasing but six fruitless efforts saw him switched to the Francis Flood yard. The change yielded an instant return as the nine-year-old came home a comfortable winner of a handicap chase at Fairyhouse on New Year's Day. Hiked up 12Ib in the ratings for that. Conditions here should prove ideal and would be dangerous to dismiss despite the reaction of the assessor to his latest success. Forecast S.P. 8/1

KYMANDJEN - A half-brother to eight-time winner, Like A Lion. Showed promise without completing in a couple of point-to-points in May 2002. Made an instant impression on the track though, always in front in a Tramore bumper on New Year's Day 2003 and followed up with a comfortable Thurles maiden hurdle win that February. It was back to Thurles the following November, the Un Desperado gelding making all to win over two miles six on his chase debut. A fall next time didn't stop a gamble from 7/1 to 7/2 when he appeared again a fortnight later and Barry Geraghty's mount made virtually all to comfortably score at Punchestown over two and a half miles. A 9Ib penalty didn't halt him from running a blinder to finish nine lengths off World Wide Web in the runner-up spot in the 2003 Paddy Power Chase. A seventh and a fall in two outings in the interval year saw Paul Nolan's charge back as a 25/1 shot again for the 2004 renewal of the same big-money handicap. Third this time to Keepatem, beaten fourteen lengths, strictly on the book he should confirm form with those that also competed there. Others though may be better equipped to deal with what is likely to be a real stamina sapping test. Forecast S.P. 10/1

CALLADINE - First came to prominence when completing a three-timer within a five-day spell at the backend of his three-year-old campaign in 1999 for Jim Bolger. Was still allowed to go off a 16/1 chance for the Grade 2 Denny-sponsored Juvenile Hurdle at the Leopardstown Christmas Festival on his hurdling bow for Steve Mahon but defied those odds for a comfortable three and a half length win. After enjoying no further luck for that yard, was sent to Christy Roche for the following season. Two handicap hurdle wins prefaced a Listowel 1m 4f handicap victory and it was back to Leopardstown the following month when the Erin's Isle gelding ran away with the November Handicap. Twelve outings and more than three years was the length of the following barren patch but deservedly triumphed on his third run in a chase at Clonmel last time, taking advantage of Lincam's last fence mistake, coming home five lengths to the good to justify favouritism. Worryingly in the aftermath Christy Roche was reluctant to comment on future plans, taking into account the nine-year-old's history of tendon trouble. Last competed in a hurdle from a rating of 130 so must be of interest on his handicap chase debut off 116. Conditions will suit too. Forecast S.P. 10/1

NUMBERSIXVALVERDE - Despite proving consistent, took nine attempts to get off the mark. When the breakthrough came on the final day of 2002, found good support in the ?ring' and came home a comprehensive thirteen length victor of a two mile two furlong Punchestown maiden hurdle. Wasn't despatched chasing until October of last year and came good at the fourth attempt, on his handicap bow at Navan in December. Competing from a rating of 106 in the three-miler, the Broken Hearted gelding led after the penultimate fence in the hands of Niall Madden and he wasn't extended to beat Rio Diamond by twelve lengths. Performed satisfactorily in a handicap hurdle at the Leopardstown Christmas Festival since. Was raised 11Ibs for the Navan win but must still hold a strong each-way claim in this. Forecast S.P. 10/1