AIDAN O’Brien has just one runner at Thurles this afternoon and Cradle Mountain could take the world of beating in the opening four-year-old maiden hurdle with Barry Geraghty in the saddle.
The dual Flat winner has an 89 rating on the level and can build on an encouraging third on his hurdling bow at Fairyhouse behind Tocororo, although he will need to be in good order to reverse the form with Swamp Fox.
Joe Murphy’s runner was half-a-length ahead of him in second that day, having made the frame on his debut over hurdles previously at Punchestown.
Never Again can also have a say after a near-miss in a similar course and distance race earlier in the month when beaten three-quarters-of-a-length by Rooster Byron, the pair finishing well clear.
But Cradle Mountain was a strong finisher in that Fairyhouse contest and it isn’t difficult to see him finding extra to turn the form around with Swamp Fox. He has cheekpieces fitted and Geraghty rides him for the first time in public.
Willie Mullins has no runner in the race and the Charles Byrnes representative Cilento might be better watched on this occasion.
There are three maiden hurdles on the card and Mullins should strike in the corresponding race for the older horses with Berry Des Aulmes, an even-money favourite on his Irish debut when thwarted by another Gigginstown runner in Ball D’arc.
That rival wasn’t disgraced when third subsequently to Min in a Punchestown Grade Two.
Dermot Weld’s more experienced Stuccodor will hardly manage the 10lb concession to Berry Des Aulmes and Goingagainstmywill might be a bigger danger.
Mullins may also take the two-mile-seven-furlong maiden with an eight-year-old newcomer in Henry Howard. But at level weights he’d want to be above average to cope with Gordon Elliott’s 118-rated Blessed King.
These are the two stables with all the form lines in this sort of company and the market should solve it.
There are three handicap hurdles on the card as well. The €16,000 Thurles Handicap Hurdle is the strongest and top weight Goonyella, a 148-rated chaser, runs off 123 on his first outing in this sort of company.
He’ll have bigger fish to fry later in the season but should make his presence felt.
However, John Joe Walsh’s Positive Approach won his maiden at Limerick over Christmas and will certainly relish the conditions.
Exit Seven and Coolbane West appear to dominate the Killinan Handicap Hurdle, with preference for the former.
The Munster Handicap Hurdle also provides a bet in the shape of Edvardo, upped 10lb for his easy success at Navan last Saturday. He gets in here with just a 4lb fixed penalty and should win.
Sutton Manor was second on his only points outing and fetched £125,000 when sold subsequently. He makes his racecourse debut for the Mullins stable in the bumper here and will take beating.
