Denwork heads Gigginstown trio in Grade 3 Thurles feature

The feature race at Thurles on Thursday is the Grade 3 Michael Purcell Memorial Novice Hurdle (3.05), and with the recent roll of honour including the likes of Sub Lieutenant, Acapella Bourgeois and last year's Martin Pipe Hurdle winner Blow By Blow, it is a contest worth respecting.

Owners Gigginstown House Stud are responsible for three of the six runners, with their team consisting of progressive last-time out winners Denwork, Dream Conti and Notebook.

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Denwork, said: "We think he has come forward since his win at Down Royal. The ground and trip will suit, but he'll need to have improved."

Master trainer Willie Mullins saddles Harrie, who was well touted before finishing third in the Grade 2 Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle when last seen.

Mullins said: "He was disappointing last time and needs to improve. The longer trip should suit, although he might need even further."

Satoshi, who beat Relegate in his maiden hurdle earlier this season, is Gordon Elliott's contender, while John McConnell unleashes the ultra-consistent Go Another One, who looks richly deserving of this first step up into Graded company.

Thurles chase to savour

A quality list of five runners will go to post for the 2m2f rated chase at Thurles (2.00), with Cheltenham Festival aspirations in the air.

The Willie Mullins-trained Real Steel, who could be JLT Novices' Chase-bound, impressed at Fairyhouse last month and has untapped potential over fences.

The standard-setter, however, is the Jessica Harrington-trained Jett, who was fourth to Tout Est Permis in the Grade 2 Horse & Jockey Hotel Chase last time.

The familiar green-and-white silks of Philip Reynolds are carried by Moon Over Germany, with the quintet completed by De Plotting Shed and Landofhopeandglory.

Ellison chases his own cash

As the Brian Ellison Racing Club has a runner in the Brian Ellison Racing Club Chase at Sedgefield, it might be prudent to assume the owners would like to rubber-stamp their sponsorship with a winner.

The horse tasked with that assignment is the seven-year-old Lucky Robin, who will face just four opponents in the 2m5f novice handicap contest (2.40), but Ellison seemed keen to dampen expectation ahead of the race.

The trainer said: "He went up quite a bit in the weights for winning a couple of Market Rasen handicaps last August and has found life a bit tougher since.

"He's in good form but I wouldn't necessarily say he's been laid out for the race, although clearly it would be nice to win for the racing club."

Wigham ace bids for four-timer

Trainer Michael Wigham has waved his magic wand to extract a bundle of improvement from Executive Force in a short time, and the five-year old seeks his fourth successive win on artificial surfaces in the 1m2f handicap (6.55) at Chelmsford.

Michael Wigham: saddles Executive Force whom he sees no reason 'why he won't go close again'Credit: Edward Whitaker

Executive Force is now 18lb higher than when successful at the beginning of the winning sequence on February 1, and Wigham is hopeful of securing another victory for his course-and-distance winner.

"He's in very good form," said Wigham. "There looks to be a progressive horse of Roger Charlton's [Forbidden Planet] in the race but I see no reason why he won't go close again."

Forbidden Planet is also in a rich vein of form, with two successive wins, and Ryan Moore, who was in the saddle for his Lingfield victory last month, continues the partnership.

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