Confirmed runners and riders for the Thyestes Handicap Chase at Gowran Park

Longhouse Poet has continued to shorten and is now clear favourite for the Goffs Thyestes Handicap Chase after 18 runners were declared for the Gowran contest on Thursday.

The eight-year-old has been the subject of a significant plunge this week from 25-1 into 9-2 as he bids to hand trainer Martin Brassil his second win in the race after Grand National winner Numbersixvalverde in 2005.

A winner on his final start last season, Longhouse Poet finished seventh on his reappearance at Limerick over Christmas with jockey Darragh O'Keeffe set to retain the ride.

Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott have a strong hand with five runners each, with Elliott bidding to claim back-to-back wins in the €100,000 handicap with Coko Beach.

3.05 Gowran Park: Goffs Thyestes Handicap Chase card and betting

The seven-year-old ran home a clear winner of last year's contest under Jack Kennedy but will be partnered this time by Davy Russell, with Kennedy set to ride stablemate and Cork Grand National winner Braeside.

Escaria Ten, Death Duty and Smoking Gun complete the Elliott team, while Mullins will field last season's Racing Post Novice Chase winner Franco De Port alongside Brahma Bull, Ontheropes, Class Conti and Agusta Gold.

Chris's Dream is set to shoulder topweight under Mark Walsh for the yard of Henry de Bromhead, with the ten-year-old's last success coming at the track two years ago.

Eklat De Rire completes the De Bromhead entries as he makes his first start since being pulled up in Newbury's Ladbrokes Trophy Chase when sent off favourite under Rachael Blackmore.

Klassical Dream: in action on Thursday in the Grade 2 John Mulhern Galmoy HurdleCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

Gowran's Thursday meeting boasts a strong undercard with five-time Grade 1 winner Klassical Dream set to run in the Grade 2 John Mulhern Galmoy Hurdle (2.05).

The Mullins-trained runner will take on eight rivals in the 3m½f contest before an anticipated tilt at the Stayers' Hurdle in March, for which he sits as current ante-post favourite at 11-4.

Stablemate Al Boum Photo did have the Galmoy as an option but was not declared and could be aimed instead at the Leopardstown Paddy Power Handicap Hurdle on February 5 before his bid to land a third Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Commander Of Fleet, who was pulled up behind Klassical Dream at Leopardstown at Christmas, represents the sole Gigginstown entry for the Grade 2 race, while Royal Kahala will aim to build on her recent Grade 3 victory ahead of a possible run in the Mares' Hurdle at the festival.

Thyestes Chase runners and riders

Chris's Dream Jockey Mark Walsh
Brahma Bull Brian Hayes
Eklat De Rire Rachael Blackmore
Franco De Port Paul Townend
Escaria Ten Adrian Heskin
Ontheropes Sean O'Keeffe
Coko Beach Davy Russell
Scarlet And Dove Shane Fitzgerald
Class Conti Bryan Cooper
Agusta Gold Danny Mullins
Braeside Jack Kennedy
Longhouse Poet Darragh O'Keeffe
Ex Patriot Donal McInerney
Death Duty Jordan Gainford
Smoking Gun Denis O'Regan
Foxy Jacks Jonathan Moore
Mister Fogpatches Richard Deegan
Diol Ker Sam Ewing

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The Front Runner is our latest email newsletter available exclusively to Members' Club Ultimate subscribers. Chris Cook, a four-time Racing Reporter of the Year award winner, provides his take on the day's biggest stories and tips for the upcoming racing every morning from Monday to Friday