Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Let’s have Thun
DERM ACE HAS ULSTER NATIONAL HOPE
BOTTOM weight Thunderosa is a hopeful choice to land the Randox Health Ulster National at Downpatrick this afternoon.
The €50,000 contest, by far the biggest race of the year at the track, has attracted a competitive field.
A good case could be made for plenty of the runners but preference is for Dermot McLoughlin’s charge.
The lightly raced 10-year-old hit a great vein of joy over hurdles this time last year and his recent form over fences is encouraging.
On his last start at Navan last month he shaped up well to take third in a handicap chase won by Call The Tune.
He will probably have to do better here but over this longer trip he may well make further progress.
Of his rivals Peaches And Cream looks a dangerous opponent as he returns from a break of several months.
On his last start he finished a creditable fourth to Run Wild Fred in the Troytown Chase at Navan in
November. A repeat of that effort would put him into contention while his stablemate Spades Are Trumps is interesting as there could be more to come from him over fences.
Earlier on the card, the Edward O’Grady-trained Priory Park gets the vote in quite a tricky rated hurdle. He was a leading fancy for a high-class three-mile handicap hurdle at Leopardstown last month but finished down the field.
Prior to that he looked like quite a progressive type after notching up wins at Leopardstown and Thurles.
It is worth taking the chance that he can bounce back to form over this shorter trip in this less competitive affair.
In the opening auction maiden hurdle, Vinnie Is Busy might be able to strike for Charles Byrnes.
He actually ran in this race two years ago when finishing a good third and he had his first run since then when taking fourth in a Fairyhouse maiden hurdle last month.
He shaped well that day and the benefit of that comeback run could see him get home in front.
Trainer Sneezy Foster looks to have decent prospects of a double with Memory Of Youth the choice in the handicap chase.
This mare has been making good progress over hurdles lately and if translating that to fences she should take plenty of beating.
Dragon’s Pass could also strike for the Enfield-based trainer in the handicap hurdle after showing signs of promise at Navan last time.
In the bumper, Gordon Elliotttrained Landrake could be the one to side with after two good placed runs at Leopardstown and Navan.
The hunters chase looks tricky but Faith Loving could find this prize within his reach.