Thyestes gamble horse on course for Gowran Park handicap

Thyestes plunge horse Longhouse Poet is on course for a crack at the €100,000 contest according to trainer Martin Brassil, who is hoping the ground remains testing at Gowran Park for his mud-loving eight-year-old.

Longhouse Poet was a 25-1 shot with Paddy Power last week but is now the outright favourite at just 5-1 with the same firm for the Goffs-sponsored showpiece on Thursday.

The chaser had strong novice form last season, beating National Hunt Chase favourite Run Wild Fred, who is now rated 158, in a beginners’ chase at Punchestown, and chasing home subsequent Grade 1 winner Janidil at Naas.

3.05 Gowran Park: Goffs Thyestes Handicap Chase racecard and betting

Brassil, who won the Thyestes with Grand National hero Numbersixvalverde in 2005, thinks Longhouse Poet will improve upon his reappearance at Limerick in December and is keen for the ground to remain testing for his charge.

The going was described as soft by clerk of the course Paddy Graffin on Monday.

Brassil said: "The plan is to run on Thursday and I just hope the ground doesn't dry out too much for him, although Gowran seems to be one of those tracks which holds its moisture well. He seems to be very well in himself and I think he will come on a good bit for the run at Limerick. He just got tired that day.

"He's a horse I've always thought a lot of and these type of staying chases would have to be on your mind for a horse like him. His beginners chase win at Punchestown has worked out okay but he will have to step up again in a race like the Thyestes."

There is set to be a superb supporting card at Gowran Park's Thursday fixture, where dual Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Al Boum Photo could take on stablemate Klassical Dream in the Grade 2 John Mulhern Galmoy Hurdle (2.05).

Klassical Dream: leads the market for the John Mulhern Galmoy HurdleCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

Paddy Power have priced up that contest to make Klassical Dream their 6-4 favourite, with Al Boum Photo available at 7-4. Leading Mares' Hurdle contender Royal Kahala is next best at 5-2.

Gowran Park manager Eddie Scally is predicting one of the most popular Thyestes days yet after the Irish government scrapped restrictions on indoor and outdoor gatherings, enabling a possible crowd of 10,000 to attend one of the great midweek meetings of the year.

Scally said: "It's going to be the biggest and best Thyestes day yet and I cannot wait. I cannot emphasise enough how much I've missed a full house and that carnival atmosphere.

"The tickets for Thursday with a reduced capacity were just about to be sold out. That was for 4,500 people. Now we can plan properly and give everyone a day to remember – we could have anywhere between 8,000 and 10,500 people there now. Racing behind closed doors just wasn't the same. It's not what I signed up for. It's for days like next Thursday and a full Gowran Park that I love this job."

Goffs Thyestes Chase

BoyleSports: 11-2 Longhouse Poet, 6 Braeside, 15-2 Diol Ker, 8 Ontheropes, 9 Escaria Ten, 10 Eklat De Rire, 14 bar

John Mulhern Galmoy Hurdle

Paddy Power: 6-4 Klassical Dream, 7-4 Al Boum Photo, 5-2 Royal Kahala, 5 Gentlemansgame, 10 Burning Victory, 12 bar

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