A busy Thursday sees 7 races at Gowran Park with 2 standout contests,the first is the 2.05 when 9 begin the Grade 2 John Mulhern Galmoy Hurdle. Klassical Dream is another star from Willie Mullins who looked as good as ever when he beat Flooring Porter by 2 lengths in the Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown on his return 30 days ago. He is the one to beat with a victory cementing his place at the top of the Stayers Hurdle market. Royal Kahala is a useful horse who picked up her career best win in a Mares Hurdle at Leopardstown at the end of December. She was suited by the increase in trip that day and goes up again here so should go well. The other shortlisted is Gentlemansgame who finished last season with a second behind Galopin Des Champs in a Grade 1 at Punchestown and was a respectable 10th on his return in a handicap hurdle at Leopardstown 30 days ago so cannot be ruled out here.
The other main race comes at 3.05 when 21 line-up for the Goffs Thyestes Handicap. Trainer Gordon Elliott has 5 in the field as he bids to win this race for the 3rd time since 2018 and one of his Escaria Ten is the pick. He was a very smart chaser last season finishing 3rd in the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. He probably wasn't over that run when pulled up in the Irish National in April but is definitely capable of better and can show that here on his return. Mister Fogpatches has some decent handicap form to his name including a creditable 2nd at Cheltenham 48 days ago so is definitely one to consider as is Braeside. He won by 3 lengths on his reappearance at Cork in October and was a good 4th at Leopardstown over Christmas so can play a part here. Also look out for Eklat De Rire who after winning comfortably at Wexford in October showed his lack of experience when pulled up in the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury a month later. He still has bags of potential and it would not be a surprise if he won.
Big race predictions: 2.05: 1: Klassical Dream 3.05: 5: Escaria Ten.
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