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Previews

The Briefing: going news, market moves and possible festival clues at Thurles

Thurles: stages good racing on Thursday afternoon
Thurles: racing on SundayCredit: Alain Barr (racingpost.com/photos)

There is no middle ground for jumps fans in Britain today, with the two meetings on offer some 450 miles apart. Ayr caters to the Scottish crowd, while down in Devon Exeter stages a seven-race fixture.

Over in Ireland a pair of Grade 2s are the highlights on the card at Thurles. There could be some Cheltenham Festival pointers in the Horse & Jockey Hotel Chase, formerly known as the Kinloch Brae, with Gold Cup heroes Don Cossack and Sizing John among the previous winners.

Going report

Ayr (first race 12.50)
Good to soft, good in places (GoingStick: 6.8 at 07:00)

Exeter
Good to soft, soft in places (GoingStick: 6.5 at 09:50 on Saturday)

Thurles
Good

What to back

You can get the best regional bets from our experts in Tips Box, while there are statistical pointers courtesy of Signposts Sweetspots.

What to read

Champion trainer Nicky Henderson saddled a four-timer on Saturday, and in doing so reached his quickest century. While Henderson is in flying form, there was a flying pest at Haydock with a drone being used to film racing.

What to watch

Our top Irish team assess the Horse & Jockey Hotel Chase at Thurles.

Plus you can brush up on your Desert Orchid knowledge

The best of Racing Post Sport

There is a double-header of Premiership action, and Mark Langdon thinks Manchester City will get off to a flyer against Huddersfield, while Dan Childs runs the rule over Fulham's clash with Tottenham.

Final thought

Haldon Hill was a fitting winner of a bumper at Exeter for local trainer Victor Dartnall last month, and returns to the track for his hurdles debut. His victory did not go unnoticed, with JP McManus purchasing the six-year-old. Perhaps one day Haldon Hill will make up into a Haldon Gold Cup horse.


Get ahead of the game with exclusive Saturday preview content on racingpost.com and the Racing Post mobile app from 2pm on Friday


David BaxterReporter

Published on 20 January 2019inPreviews

Last updated 09:44, 20 January 2019

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