Eric McNamara plotting another big-race triumph with leading Thyestes hopeful

Eric McNamara is hoping to land another big prize when Donkey Years lines up in the Thyestes Handicap Chase at Gowran Park next Thursday.

The trainer is still on a high after winning the €110,000 Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown over the festive period with Real Steel, who was sent off at 33-1 under Conor McNamara, while his better-fancied stablemate Donkey Years unseated his rider Mark Walsh.

Donkey Years, owned by JP McManus and winner of the Pat Taaffe Handicap Chase at Punchestown last April, could face the likes of Diol Ker, Escaria Ten and Florida Pearl-winning mare Darrens Hope in the €59,000 showpiece, for which he is a 10-1 shot with Paddy Power.

Connections of Donkey Years celebrate after his victory in the Pat Taaffe Handicap Chase at Punchestown in 2022Credit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

McNamara believes Donkey Years is in the same form as he was before Leopardstown, and said: "Donkey Years is in great order. We have him fit and ready to run in the Thyestes, but he won’t go there if the ground goes very heavy.

"I'd ideally like to run him on soft ground. He finished third in the Munster National and was in great form going into the Paddy Power Chase. He's going to this in good shape and hopefully he'll be able to put that right."

He added: "It's amazing to be able to get out on the big days and compete for these pots. We've got three fine horses in Donkey Years, Real Steel and Falco Blitz. With Donkey Years, we also have the option of the Leopardstown Chase at the Dublin Racing Festival.

"Real Steel will probably go to that race at the Dublin Racing Festival. I'm delighted with him but don't want to run him in the Thyestes on heavy ground."

Goffs Thyestes Chase (Gowran Park, January 26)

Paddy Power: 7 Diol Ker, Escaria Ten, Franco De Port, 8 Pencilfulloflead, 9 Darrens Hope, 10 Mr Incredible, Donkey Years, 12 Carefully Selected, 14 bar.

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