FOR A HORSE that is supposed to really need further than two miles, Thyne Again's record at the minimum trip is pretty good, something he can emphasise at Leopardstown today.
Liam Burke's flashy chestnut lines up alongside six others for the Grade One €100,000 Dial-A-Bet Chase but will be without his usual jockey, Davy Russell.
He has decided to side with last year's winner Mansony, a move no doubt motivated by Mansony's good run in the Durkan recently, and maybe the Burke yard's fairly quiet pre-Christmas form.
A dirty scope prevented Thyne Again running in the Durkan and the delay has forced his trainer into dropping to two miles. But Burke's star can still make a virtue out of those circumstances. He won last season's Irish Arkle before running fourth in the Cheltenham version and his sole start of this term yielded a very impressive victory at Naas.
He has something to find with Big Zeb on ratings and on Punchestown festival form but that came at the end of a long season and Thyne Again looks a horse still very much on the up. Mansony's claims are obvious, while English raider Natal can be hard to catch right. In the circumstances Thyne Again can provide a touch of value.
Today's other Grade One is the Future Champions Novice Hurdle which can see another Willie Mullins-trained star, Hurricane Fly, score back to back victories at the top-level.
Hurricane Fly landed the Royal Bond at Fairyhouse by a neck from Donnas Palm, with Cousin Vinny in third and the winner showed impressive speed off a pedestrian pace. This is a horse capable of top form in France over two and a half and a better gallop will surely see him in a better light.
Rocco's Hall has a course bumper victory to his credit and finally ended his barren hurdle race run at Fairyhouse last month. Edward O'Grady said the horse relished the longer distance. If he's right today's three mile handicap hurdle looks a good chance for a follow-up despite a 9lb ratings hike. Noble Prince has some top staying form on the flat in France and catches the eye in the maiden hurdle while Donegal's Gordon Stakes second to Conduit is a stand-out in the opener.
