HE’LL BE KING OF THE HILL

BAY Hill is strongly fancied to land the Two-mile-borris Handicap Hurdle when National Hunt action returns to Thurles today.

The versatile grey, a five time winner on the flat, has 7lb claimer Liam Gilligan (above) in the saddle.

Bay Hill has registered two successes over flights, having scored off 97 at Listowel in September. Since then, he finished second to Jake Peter on the flat in Cork and, last time, having challenged frontrunner Silver Star approaching the final flight, was outstayed and beaten two and a quarter lengths by Conron at Punchestown.

Bay Hill should have most to fear from Tony Martin’s hat-trick-seeker Toor General, up a total of 12lb for a win at Roscommon and a share of the spoils, with Mandarin Monarch, at Fairyhouse.

Earlier, the John Kielytrained mare Conduct Yourself should make a bold bid to open her chasing account, at the eighth attempt, in the Littleton Handicap Chase.

This eight-year-old mare has won four times over hurdles, ridden on each occasion by Brian Hayes, who will be on board again today.

Last time, the King’s Theatre mare shaped like a future winner when, ridden by Rachael Blackmore, she came from off the pace to finish third behind Neddyvaughan in a similar handicap chase in Wexford.

John Kiely’s charge has definite claims in a competitive contest, in which Gordon Elliott’s Jaunty Thor bids to follow-up his Fairyhosue win on Tuesday.

Although she has failed to click in eight runs over flights, the 119-rated Tara Dylan sets the standard in the Templemore Mares Maiden Hurdle.