A Graded performer in a handicap? Brahma Bull aiming at wide-open Thyestes

3.25 Gowran Park
Goffs Thyestes Handicap Chase | 3m1f | 5yo+ | RTE2/ RTV

Willie Mullins is chasing a ninth success in the biggest race at his local track and a third on the trot.

Micko's Dream began the obsession when landing the prestigious prize in 2000 and, since then, Hedgehunter (2004), Homer Wells (2007), On His Own (2012, 2014), Djakadam (2015), Invitation Only (2019) and Total Recall (2020) have combined to make him the winningmost trainer in the race's rich history.

This year five make the short journey from Closutton to Gowran and in-form number one jockey Paul Townend is on topweight Acapella Bourgeois. He was sixth in the race last year off a mark of 152, so why should he win it now off 4lb higher?

Of far more interest is the unexposed Brahma Bull. He might have turned ten but he's had only 13 career starts and just seven over fences.

Jumping has always been the concern for the son of Presenting and he unshipped David Mullins at the second fence in the Savills Chase won by Al Boum Photo on New Year's Day at Tramore.

Acapella Bourgeois: the selection of Paul TownendCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Prior to that Brahma Bull chased home Minella Indo at Navan, an arduous task given they raced off level weights. He travelled just as well as the RSA runner-up to the second-last and even hit a low of evens on Betfair before class prevailed.

That performance is perhaps the best piece of recent form on offer. Brian Hayes is booked and that is certainly more of a positive than a negative given he was on board when Brahma Bull won his beginners' chase at Tipperary and again for a Grade 3 win at Cork.

If the reserve Aforementioned gets a late call-up, Gordon Elliott will have six runners. Monbeg Notorious is his sole winner of the race and it could be another novice who provides him with his best chance this time around.

Coko Beach remains a maiden over fences, but he got to within three-quarters of a length of Pencilfulloflead at Galway in October and a mark of 138 could be lenient for his first handicap over fences. Jack Kennedy has opted to ride him.

There was always a suspicion that Spyglass Hill had a big handicap in him and there were more encouraging signs behind Annamix on his last trip to the track.

Coko Beach (left): leads the charge for Gordon ElliottCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

He was pulled up in both the Galway Plate and the Kerry National and the worry would be that a big-field handicap like this might not be his cup of tea.

There are plenty of others to consider too, most notably Any Second Now, who is a class act on his day as he proved when running out a convincing winner of the Kim Muir in 2019 off a mark of 143.

It might not be a vintage renewal of the Thyestes, but it is most certainly competitive, and Brahma Bull could be the Graded performer masquerading as a handicapper.

Fahy searching for a new star

It was back in 1994 when Nuaffe triumphed in the Thyestes for Pat Fahy and the trainer is hoping Dunvegan can follow in his footsteps.

Nuaffe was an impressive eight-length winner under Sean O'Donovan and went on to win the Troytown at Navan the following season, before finishing third to Jodami in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown.

It is hard to envisage Dunvegan going on to scale such lofty heights, but he is only eight and Fahy thinks we may not have seen the best of him yet. A mark of 139 could underestimate him.

Dunvegan: representative of Pat FahyCredit: Patrick McCann

Fahy said: "He made a bad mistake at the first in the Paddy Power and just lost his confidence after it. He couldn't get into any sort of rhythm.

"Bryan [Cooper] wisely pulled-up so he didn't actually have a hard race and he's come out of it. We brought him away and have schooled him since and he was perfect. He's in great form and there's no reason to think he won't run his race."

What they say

Willie Mullins, trainer of Acapella Bourgeois, Brahma Bull, Cabaret Queen, Class Conti and Saturnas
Saturnas would have to come back to his best, which he hasn't yet this season, but he's improving all the time. Conor McNamara takes a valuable 5lb off Cabaret Queen but it might be a tough test on proper heavy, winter ground for her. Class Conti was second in the race last year and you'd have to think it'll be hard for him to improve that off a higher rating, but he'll be there or thereabouts. Brahma Bull jumps and stays, he could be one that's suited to the race. Paul [Townend] has picked Acapella Bourgeois after his run at Tramore, that was a very good effort.

Gordon Elliott, trainer of Alpha Des Obeaux, Roaring Bull, Dounikos, Coko Beach, Run Wild Fred and Aforementioned
I thought Coko Beach and Run Wild Fred were the pick of ours. Coko Beach is only a novice but he's taken well to fences and, on the pick of some of his form, you would like to think he would have a decent chance. Run Wild Fred is a novice as well and is progressing nicely. We're hopeful of a big run from him. Alpha Des Obeaux is not getting any younger but we all know he's a talented horse on his day. As is Dounikos, who was disappointing last time at Fairyhouse. Roaring Bull had his big day in the Paddy Power last Christmas and has struggled a bit off higher marks since then. Aforementioned is only a reserve, but wouldn't be completely out of it if he got in.

Ted Walsh, trainer of Any Second Now
He's in good order and I'm happy with him. This is his first run over fences this season and we're hoping for a good run.

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Mortal, Speak Easy and Smoking Gun
Mortal is in good form at home but has plenty of weight to carry. Jack Foley's claim will help and hopefully he runs well. Speak Easy ran well for a long way in the Paddy Power so that was encouraging. Smoking Gun is only a reserve, but hopefully he gets in because he would enjoy the ground.

Henry de Bromhead, trainer of Spyglass Hill
It was a good run the last day and we said after that we would aim him at the Thyestes. He goes there in great form. I'm very happy with him.

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