One key runner to note in each live ITV4 race at Thurles

Politesse
1.40 Thurles

Gordon Elliott's Fakiera will garner plenty of market attention in the opening maiden hurdle but the Lorna Fowler-trained Politesse provides stern opposition.

The form of her debut third in a Punchestown bumper last May behind Grade 1-placed Longhouse Poet and Albert Bartlett winner Monkfish could hardly read any better.

Her subsequent two starts have yielded a Grade 2 second in a Leopardstown bumper and a comfortable five-length victory at this track last time. She merits the utmost respect on her first start over hurdles.

Brace Yourself
2.10 Thurles

Chasing did not go to plan for Brace Yourself, who disappointed this winter behind the talented Carefully Selected before falling in a chase won by Flogas second Easy Game.

Reverted to hurdles in February, he produced an improved showing when sixth to Cracking Smart in the Boyne Hurdle at Navan, finishing four lengths behind jump racing's cherished friend Tiger Roll.

Brace Yourself (middle): pictured alongside the great Tiger RollCredit: Alain Barr

The best seems yet to come for the Noel Meade-trained seven-year-old in the BetVictor Hurdle, with questions surrounding market principals Karl Der Grosse and Jetz.

Johnny Little Legs
2.40 Thurles

A competitive 80-95 handicap hurdle where five-year-old Johnny Little Legs probably retains the most potential as a long-term prospect.

He finished midfield in maiden hurdles won by Tiger Tap Tap, Argumental and Column Of Fire on his first three starts over hurdles and almost struck in an 18-runner contest off an opening mark of 89 at this course last time.

Only beaten a short head there, Johnny Little Legs runs off 4lb higher and steps up markedly in trip from 2m to 2m6½f. His pedigree suggests that should be well within in his compass.

Zero Ten
3.10 Thurles

Emmet Mullins' stable star is a model of consistency and excluding his fall at odds of 1-3 in a Punchestown novice chase last time he has never finished out of the first two over jumps.

Dommage Pour Toi and Irish Arkle second Cash Back are the only horses the 143-rated Zero Ten has succumbed to in a promising career since graduating from bumpers.

Zero Ten: in winning action over hurdles at LeopardstownCredit: Patrick McCann

He receives a healthy 6lb from Sizing Pottsie which could tilt things in his favour in the Grade 3 Pierce Molony Memorial Novice Chase, where cases can also be made for Cut The Mustard, Dunvegan and Dallas Des Pictons.

Trumps Ace
3.40 Thurles

The Timothy Doyle-trained Trumps Ace arrives in red-hot form and holds fine claims of securing a quickfire hat-trick in the 2m4½f handicap chase.

Two starts ago she defeated the reopposing Kavanaghs Corner, who has scored since, and the Racing Post Rating of 114 Trumps Ace achieved at Clonmel last time suggests she should have wriggle room off her revised mark of 110.

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