Thyestes Handicap Chase tips and runners guide to Gowran Park 2.50

Longhouse Poet will have to beat a maximum 17 rivals to regain the Goffs Thyestes Handicap Chase at Gowran Park on Thursday.

Despite boasting form over C&D, the 2022 winner is rated 7lbs higher compared to two years ago and will need to prove his ability after a couple of poor performances in the current campaign.

The only horse set to carry more weight in Thursday’s 14:50 is the Willie Mullins-trained Bronn, who placed third in last season’s Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

The form of last season’s Kim Muir will be put to the test as the winner, AngelsDawn, and fourth, Dunboyne, have been prominent in Paddy Power’s antepost betting. The latter is one of six runners for trainer Gordon Elliott.

The Thyestes occasionally provides clues for the Grand National and veteran AnySecondNow, the Aintree third in 2021 and second in 2022, will need to run well if connections are to consider another crack at the world’s greatest steeplechase.

The latest Thyestes Handicap Chase odds are on the Paddy Power website and Paddy Power app, otherwise Timeform’s guide to the runners as well as betting tips from the racing boffins can be found below.

Thyestes Handicap Chase verdict

Timeform: Another fiendishly competitive renewal of one of the most prestigious handicap chases of the season in Ireland and last year’s runner-up DUNBOYNE is taken to go a place better on the back of a satisfactory return in the Troytown a couple of months ago. Willie Mullins/Paul Townend combined to take this 12 months ago and Glengouly may emerge as the main threat, with Shantreusse, Angels Dawn and Bronn another handful also worth considering.

*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change

Thyestes Handicap Chase runners and riders

The following horses have been declared for the Thyestes Handicap Chase 2024.

Bronn

Trainer: Willie Mullins Jockey: Daryl Jacob Age: 7 Weight: 11st 12lbs

Well-beaten fourth of 6 to Jungle Boogie in New Year’s Day Chase at Tramore (22.8f, heavy, 9/2) 24 days ago. Cheekpieces on 1st time. Hasn’t been in much form so far this season but dangerous to rule out on handicap debut.

Longhouse Poet

Trainer: Martin Brassil Jockey: JJ Slevin Age: 10 Weight: 11st 11lbs

C&D winner. Six wins from 22 NH runs. 20/1, never involved under considerate handling when well-beaten fifth of 6 to Jungle Boogie in New Year’s Day Chase at Tramore (22.8f, heavy) 24 days ago. Won this 2 years ago from 7 lb lower but he’s tricky to assess at present.

Espanito Bello

Trainer: Barry Connell Jockey: Michael O’Sullivan Age: 10 Weight: 11st 9lbs

Made a winning return at Naas in November. 8/1, disappointing when pulled up in handicap hurdle at Navan (25.2f, heavy) 47 days ago. Switches from hurdles to chase. Visor on 1st time.

Any Second Now

Trainer: Ted Walsh Jockey: Mark Walsh Age: 12 Weight: 11st 7lbs

Better for run when seventh of 11 in handicap chase (very easy-to-back 9/1) at Navan (20.4f, heavy) 47 days ago. Back up in trip. Probably not the force of old but his mark reflects that.

Gevrey

Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: Sam Ewing Age: 8 Weight: 11st 5lbs

Latest win at Limerick in October. Possibly amiss when pulled up in handicap chase at Navan (24f, heavy, 16/1) 67 days ago, folding home turn. Must bounce back.

Ontheropes

Trainer: Willie Mullins Jockey: Sean O’Keeffe Age: 10 Weight: 11st 4lbs

Offered little after 23 months off when pulled up in handicap chase at Leopardstown (24.4f, heavy, 66/1) 29 days ago.

Ain’t That A Shame

Trainer: Henry de Bromhead Jockey: Rachael Blackmore Age: 10 Weight: 11st 3lbs

Course winner last March. 8/1, pulled up in handicap chase at Navan (24f, heavy) 67 days ago. Yet to fire this season but he would be folly to discount, nonetheless.

Diol Ker

Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: Kieran Buckley Age: 10 Weight: 11st 1lbs

Eleven runs since last win in 2022. 40/1, seventh of 27 in handicap chase at Leopardstown (24.4f, heavy) 29 days ago, weakening before last. Has work to do.

Fakir D’alene

Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: Danny Gilligan Age: 9 Weight: 11st 1lbs

Had his race ended early through no fault of his own when brought down fifth in handicap chase at Leopardstown (24.4f, heavy, 11/1) 29 days ago.

Glengouly

Trainer: Willie Mullins Jockey: Paul Townend Age: 8 Weight: 11st

20/1, shaped as if retaining all ability making handicap debut after 10 months off when second of 12 at Limerick (19.4f, heavy) 4 weeks ago. Up in trip. 4 lb higher here and he’s much respected for the trainer/jockey combination that won this 12 months ago.

Macs Charm

Trainer: Colm Murphy Jockey: Brian Hayes Age: 9 Weight: 11st

Failed to come on for recent run when pulled up in handicap chase at Leopardstown (24.4f, heavy, 50/1) 29 days ago. Others have achieved more.

Frontal Assault

Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: Donagh Meyler Age: 9 Weight: 10st 12lbs

Remained in good heart when 9½ lengths fourth of 18 to Street Value in handicap chase at Fairyhouse (29.6f, soft, 17/2) 53 days ago, making effort earlier than ideal.

Angels Dawn

Trainer: Sam Curling Jockey: Phillip Enright Age: 9 Weight: 10st 11lbs

Kim Muir winner at the Cheltenham Festival back in March. 5/1, below form seventh of 16 in handicap hurdle at Navan (25.2f, heavy) 47 days ago. Switches from hurdles to chase.

Dunboyne

Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: Jack Kennedy Age: 9 Weight: 10st 11lbs

Course winner. On a going day and ran respectably after 7 months off when fourth of 20 in handicap chase at Navan (24f, heavy, 22/1) 67 days ago. Went down narrowly in this 12 months ago so he must be taken seriously provided his mind is on the job (has looked none too keen).

Shantreusse

Trainer: Henry de Bromhead Jockey: Darragh O’Keeffe Age: 8 Weight: 10st 6lbs

Strong in the betting and unlucky to bump into a handicap blot after 9 months off when second of 11 in handicap chase at Navan (20.4f, heavy, 4/1) 47 days ago. Up in trip. One to bear in mind.

Stormy Judge

Trainer: Peter Fahey Jockey: Richard Condon Age: 9 Weight: 10st 5lbs

Fared better than previously over hurdles when fifth of 21 in handicap (10/1) at Leopardstown (20f, heavy) 4 weeks ago, barely adequate test. Switches from hurdles to chase. Up in trip. Worth a second look from this sort of mark.

Street Value

Trainer: John Flavin Jockey: Danny Mullins Age: 9 Weight: 10st 5lbs

Registered his second success over fences at Fairyhouse in December. 13/2, creditable third of 6 in handicap chase at Cork (20f, heavy) 19 days ago, barely adequate test. Unexposed over long distances, so he’s not dismissed back up in trip.

Royal Thief

Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: Jake Coen Age: 10 Weight: 10st 3lbs

Again let down by his jumping when fell first in handicap chase (50/1) at Leopardstown (24.4f, heavy) 29 days ago. Easy enough to look elsewhere.