Kemboy, Presenting Percy and Monalee face off in Thursday thriller at Thurles

Boomerang.ie Chase (Listed) | 2m6f | 5yo+ | RTV

Who says small-field races are boring? There may only be four runners going to post for this Listed contest but it just oozes quality.

Three-time Grade 1 winner Kemboy is likely to be at the head of the market and could be viewed as one of the horses hit hardest by racing grinding to a shuddering halt due to the coronavirus pandemic last season as he has a clear preference for spring conditions.

There is no doubt that Kemboy is the horse to beat if he returns to anywhere near peak condition, but even his most ardent supporters must have a nagging question mark over the heavy ground.

Kemboy: winner of the Punchestown Gold CupCredit: Patrick McCann

His main threat could be Monalee, who put to rest any stamina concerns when a staying-on fourth in the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March.

He was well beaten in the Clonmel Oil Chase on his return last season but he tends to run well fresh and could capitalise if there are any chinks in Kemboy’s armour.

Presenting Percy could give them plenty to think about if he builds on his reappearance fourth in the Ladbrokes Champion Chase at Down Royal, while the field is completed by Darasso after Beyond The Law was ruled out.

Ground a worry for Kemboy

Although the ground could make things tough for Kemboy, he is the sole representative from Willie Mullins' yard, which has sent out four of the last five winners of this race.

Kemboy, who won the Savills Chase followed by victories in the Betway Bowl and Punchestown Gold Cup two seasons ago, was installed as the early market leader for this race, but the champion trainer admits he would have been more confident if the ground was better.

Willie Mullins is looking forward to getting Kemboy back on trackCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Mullins said: “It looks a very hot race. The ground looks as though it will be a little too soft for Kemboy to show his best, but we're looking forward to starting him back. He could go back for the Savills Chase at Leopardstown after this.”

Percy ready for improved effort

An improved display is expected from Presenting Percy, who has been largely hit and miss in recent seasons, but Gordon Elliott retains the faith in his relatively new recruit.

He said: “Presenting Percy is in good form and I think he'll come on from Down Royal. He travelled into the race well and just took a bit of a blow, so we think there should be more to come. I didn't think he jumped that bad.”

Presenting Percy: makes his second start for Gordon ElliottCredit: Alain Barr

Presenting Percy was not out of it when coming down two out in last season’s Gold Cup, his final start for Pat Kelly, and while he jumped big on occasion at Down Royal, Elliott described himself as satisfied with the performance on the whole.

He said: “He jumped a bit big early in the race, but it was his first run back after falling in the Gold Cup and I wouldn't be too critical of his jumping anyway.”

Monalee warms up for King George

Henry de Bromhead has pointed to the King George at Kempton on December 26 as being a likely destination for Gold Cup fourth Monalee.

The nine-year-old is the highest rated in this line-up thanks to an official mark of 171 – 3lb superior to Kemboy – and while he failed to win last term, he enhanced his reputation no-end.

Gold Cup fourth Monalee: set for a spell on the sidelinesCredit: Alain Barr

De Bromhead said: “He was brilliant for us last year, going down by just a head in the Savills Chase before finishing fourth in the Gold Cup, and he seems to be in very good form at home again. He's entered in the King George so we'll see what happens.”

Darasso looks to build on early promise

The youngest and most unexposed horse in the race is Darasso, who is unbeaten in three chase starts, two of which came when he was trained by Guy Cherel in France before the switch to Joseph O'Brien.

Mark Walsh's mount will have to bounce back after a bitterly disappointing display when he finished just tenth in the Champion Hurdle in March.

Darasso: unbeaten over fencesCredit: Patrick McCann

O'Brien said: "He's in good form at home but this looks a very good race. He won't mind the soft ground and we're looking forward to starting him back. He will mix and match in Graded races this season.

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