Three tips at Thurles on Thursday Thurles takes centre stage in Ireland on Wednesday with a seven-race card that features a lot of runners over hurdles, fences and in a bumper. The action kicks off at 14:30 and runs through to the finale at 17:35 and we have provided selections and analysis for three of the races on Wednesday’s card. Selections 4.00 Thurles - Prince Quattro 4.30 Thurles - The Sugarhill Lady 5.00 Thurles - Betty Dutton 4.00 Thurles - Prince Quattro A similar contest to this at Down Royal could hold the key to this race and Philip Rothwell’s 6yo, winner of that race, can take the 8lb rise in his stride and notch again. Although both the third home Kp’s Ladyofknock and fifth-placed Le Bugiste reoppose from unchanged marks, it is hard to see the swing in weights being enough to turn the tables on the convincing winner. Prince Quattro is on an upward curve this season, with two wins and a good third at this course in his last four starts. He was taken on for the lead the whole way when beaten here, and with the winner miles ahead of his mark, he’ll face nothing of that calibre here. His only recent poor run came on softer ground and, with watering taking place at Thurles after a dry few days, this slick-jumping pace-setter will get conditions to suit. His jumping has improved as he has gained experience and as long as good conditional John Shinnick gets the fractions right up front he should be difficult to reel in. 4.30 Thurles - The Sugarhill Lady Although better known for handicap winners, Eric McNamara does occasionally have success in maidens and, with stable jockey Conor in the plate, the claims of this half-sister to a decent mare for the same connections look too good to ignore. She’s shown decent form in her three starts to date in maiden hurdles and, despite being given an attractive looking opening mark of 100, she has been given the chance in what looks a winnable race. All three of her runs to date have come at around two miles and the way she has finished those races strongly suggests that she will be well suited to the extra half-mile she faces here. Her half-sister Millstream Lady, who runs for the same owner/breeder as the selection, is at her best at 2m4f or slightly further and her connections’ decision to wait for better ground can reap dividends. 5.00 Thurles - Betty Dutton Not many of these would appear to relish the drying ground and it’s worth chancing that Betty Dutton, who appreciates quicker conditions, can get her head in front for only the second time. A record of 1-26 isn’t great, but she has been second four times, including on her two most recent runs and, as they came on soft and heavy going, there’s reason to hope for even better here. Her five best RPRs have come on either good or good to yielding ground, so those two good runs, after a short winter break, could be the springboard to another success, with the tongue-tie used last time out retained. Get €40 in FREE bets with the William Hill sign up offer:
