Sir Gerhard to make chasing debut as full field declared for Thyestes Chase

Sir Gerhard is set to make his chasing debut after being declared in a field of five for Thursday's 2m beginners' chase (3.25) at Gowran.

Trained by Willie Mullins, he is already a dual winner at the Cheltenham Festival, winning the 2021 Champion Bumper and last year's Ballymore Novices' Hurdle, but has been absent since an odds-on defeat at Punchestown in April.

The eight-year-old is prominent in the ante-post markets for the Turners Novices' Chase and the Arkle at the festival and will take on a field that includes Largy Debut and Indiana Jones.

Sir Gerhard has been recovering from a setback, with Cheveley Park's director Richard Thompson suggesting he "probably won't run at Cheltenham" when speaking to the Racing Post in December.

The field is completed by Natural Ability and Battle Of Mirbat.

18 declared for Thyestes Chase

A full field of 18 has been declared for Thursday's Goffs Thyestes Handicap Chase (2.50), with 14 of the 18 entries coming from the yards of Willie Mullins, Gordon Elliott and Henry de Bromhead.

Mullins has won the race on eight occasions, including four of the last ten renewals, and has three among the final field (plus two reserves), including the lightly-raced 11-year-old Carefully Selected.

He was a dual Grade 3 winner as a novice chaser in 2020 but was having his first run for 1022 days when midfield in the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas. Mullins will also be represented by Egality Mans and Captain Kangaroo, while Rambranlt'jac and Stones And Roses are also reserves for the trainer.

Elliott has nine of the 18 runners and topweight Escaria Ten, who was a good second in Listed company at Thurles in December, could be his leading chance under Adrian Heskin. His squad also includes Pencilfulloflead, Frontal Assault, Braeside, Coko Beach, Defi Bleu, Punitive, Dunboyne and Fakiera.

Gabbys Cross is the sole entry from De Bromhead, who won the race in 2017 with Champagne West in the Roger Brookhouse colours. He was sixth in the Paddy Power Chase over Christmas and is set to relish a stiffer test at Gowran Park.

Teahupoo heads Galmoy six

Teahupoo heads a field of six for the John Mulhern Galmoy Hurdle (2.15) as Gordon Elliott bids to end a nine-year wait in the Grade 2 contest.

Mala Beach's 2014 triumph was the last time Elliott had success in the race but Teahupoo, who caused a 20-1 shock in the Hatton's Grace at Fairyhouse in December, has excellent claims.

Teahupoo (right) chases down Klassical Dream to win the Hatton's GraceCredit: Caroline Norris

The six-year-old will need to concede 9lb or more to his five rivals but he is the same amount of pounds clear on ratings. He will be ridden by Davy Russell, who takes over the ride from the injured Jack Kennedy.

His main rival is set to be Beacon Edge, a Grade 1 winner over fences last season who has struggled to recapture his best form this season, pulling up at Leopardstown when last seen over Christmas.

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