THURLES PREVIEW:THE VETERAN former champion chaser Newmill will attempt to win his first race in almost three years in today's Grade Two feature at Thurles, but he could find Snowy Morning too much of a handful.
It was the 2006 edition of the Kinloch Brae Chase that kick-started Newmill’s career peak in a golden period which subsequently saw the John Murphy-trained star win the Champion Chase at Cheltenham and follow up at Punchestown.
Newmill hasn’t scored since he beat Macs Joy in a hurdle at Gowran in 2007, but even at 12 years of age there have been signs he is no back number in two starts this season.
The first saw Newmill finish runner-up in a Cork handicap, and he then ran a fine fourth to Well Chief at Cheltenham, just a length behind Master Minded, at the scene of his finest hour back in 2006.
Newmill's official handicap mark is now 20lb below his peak, but it still makes him a clear top-rated in today's race, a full half-stone clear of Snowy Morning.
Willie Mullins’s charge has tasted the big-time himself, having been placed in the Aintree Grand National, and there were encouraging signs of a return to form last time at Fairyhouse when runner-up to his stable companion Scotsirish.
As befits a horse being quoted for a successful return to Liverpool in April, stamina could end up being a strong point today against Newmill’s free-wheeling style.
The 120-day gap to John Murphy’s last winner also looks a negative to Newmill’s claims, while the former Grade One winner, Conna Castle, has to concede weight all-round.
Ted Walsh unveils an intriguing recruit to jumping in the juvenile hurdle with the ex-Aidan O’Brien-trained Hail Caesar, whose flat CV includes a number of Group One pacemaking duties, as well as finishing less than four lengths off Sea The Stars in the 2008 Beresford Stakes.
Hail Caesar won off a flat mark of 97 last summer, but an alternative bet could be the ex-French Son Amix, a winner at Saint-Malo, and runner-up in an Auteuil hurdle last November.
Tally Em Uphas winning form around Thurles, which is another plus to her chance in the Grade Three mares novice chase, while Rudi Truckerwas leading Agus A Vic when exiting five out at Down Royal over Christmas and should be tough to beat in the hunters chase.
