Altior sibling Melior to face the boys on Thurles debut

Altior - already the odds-on favourite for the Champion Chase in March - will see his cleverly named Milan three-parts sister Melior make her first appearance in the Toboradora INH Flat Race at Thurles on Thursday (4.10).

Trained by Ross O'Sullivan and to be ridden by Katie Walsh, Melior -which is Latin for better - lines up in the same bumper won in the past by the likes of Wrath Of Titans and Ball D'Arc.

Melior is bred by Paddy Behan snr out of his Key Of Luck mare Monte Solaro, also the dam of high-class handicap hurdler Princess Leya and dual hurdle winner Silverhow.

The 17-year-old has also produced a two-year-old brother to Melior and a Walk In The Park filly foal, who she delivered hours after Altior's heroics in the Racing Post Arkle Novices' Chase in March - just before the clocks struck midnight. She was covered by Tally-Ho Stud resident Vadamos this year.

Although being related to Altior gives her a chance on paper, Melior will have to bring her A-game to the table if she is to get the better of JP McManus-owned pair The Big Lense and Uisce Beatha.

The Big Lense won a Cragmore point-to-point by 20 lengths in February while the unraced Uisce Beatha is a half-brother to Desert Cry, winner of ten races over obstacles for trainer Donald McCain.

A glass or two looks sure to be raised should Uisce Beatha making a winning debut, as the son of Yeats takes his name from the Irish word for whiskey.

Monte Solaro with her Walk In The Park filly foal in the paddock at a day oldCredit: Paddy Behan Jnr

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