Thyestes Attracts 47 The 56th running of the Thyestes Chase, with Co. Wexford company, Ellen Construction backing the highly prestigious Grade A Handicap for the fourth year, will be staged at Gowran Park on Thursday January 22nd and it has attracted 47 entries. English-trained hopefuls, Nozic, Dear Villez (Paul Nicholls), Eric's Charm (Oliver Sherwood) and Kitski (Ferdy Murphy) would be bidding to follow in the hoof-prints of Mweenish (John Webber 1990), Zeta's Lad (John Upson 1993) and Couldn't Be Better (Charlie Brooks 1997) as overseas heroes of the three miler in recent times. Nozic would carry 11st 13Ib (a mark of 160) were he to line-up. Of course this fellow defeated Tidal Bay by seven lengths in the Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase at Wetherby on St Stephen's Day. The ex-French performer missed the 07/08 campaign with a 'leg' and Harry Skelton claimed a useful 5Ibs off his back when making the most of the weight he received from Tidal Bay. Reportedly better going left-handed and best fresh, Dear Villez would be bidding to make his second successful raid on a big Irish handicap after his sweet-jumping victory in the Munster National at Limerick back in October. He was since hampered four out before running on into fourth place behind Madison Du Berlais in the Hennessy Gold Cup Chase at Newbury. His rating of 151 would leave him with 11st 4Ib to shoulder. Eleven-year-old Eric's Charm off 142 would carry 10st 9Ib whilst Kitski, well-fancied for the event in 2007 when coming home in fourth place, is number 42 (18 being the maximum field) off 114 (8st 9Ib). Dun Doire (2006), Homer Wells (2007) and Priests Leap (2008) would bid to join Copp (1955 & 1958) Greek Vulgan (1967 & 1969), Wylde Hide (1995 & 1996) and Bob Treacy (1999 & 2001) as dual winners of the race. The late Michael Hickey-trained Bob Treacy and his son, Denis has Ballistraw (pulled up here last year) engaged. Off 141, the ten-year-old chestnut Carroll House gelding would carry 10st 8Ibs as it stands. Just some of the other notable entries are Snowy Morning, Cane Brake, Chelsea Harbour, Arbor Supreme, Himalayan Trail, Newbay Prop, Hoopy, Emma Jane and Operation Houdini. (EM)
