It’s the biggest meeting of the season at Gowran Park as attention turns to the Thyestes Handicap Chase, the Grade Three contest that remains one of the standout fixtures in the National Hunt calendar.
JP McManus-owned Better Times Ahead goes to post as the favourite, arriving in strong form after already recording two victories this season.
Willie Mullins is once again a major player in the race, with Paul Townend set to partner his leading contender Captain Cody. Townend is fresh from last year’s Thyestes success aboard Nick Rockett, who went on to Grand National glory. Mullins’ association with the race is a formidable one, having claimed the Thyestes Handicap Chase on ten occasions since the turn of the century.
There had been an element of doubt over the meeting following heavy rainfall in Kilkenny, prompting a precautionary track inspection at 4.30pm on Wednesday afternoon. However, officials later confirmed that Thursday’s full race card will go ahead as planned.
The ground at Gowran Park remains heavy, but with racing given the green light, all eyes now turn to one of the most anticipated days of the Irish jumps season.
