O'Dwyer to show Boss the way

Thurles stages quite an attractive card this afternoon despite having one of the increasingly prevalent eight-race marathons that tests the stamina of almost everyone involved.

That will be of little concern to the riders however and one of the jockeys to keep on the right side of should be Conor O'Dwyer, who looks to have good prospects of a double.

O'Dwyer has the responsibility of guiding the promising novice Boss Doyle in his second start over fences in the Upper-church Chase, but, judged on the gelding's debut, it should not be too onerous a task.

"Mouse" Morris's strapping five-year-old absolutely doddled up at the Listowel festival and perhaps even more significantly, showed an economical style of jumping that can only help him in the future.

It should certainly mean he has the winning of this contest if the high regard in which he is obviously held is justifiable and in the process complete O'Dwyer's brace.

The first of them looks set to come in the second division of the Tipperary Maiden Hurdle where his mount, Fenagh Flyer, is selected to beat the probable favourite Mykon Gold on his hurdling debut.

A bumper winner at Gowran, Fenagh Flyer is the choice mainly on his second to Zaffaran Run in another bumper at Listowel. There was only a length-and-a-half between them at the finish that day and Zaffaran Run is the sort of smart mare that makes that performance all the more impressive.

It goes somewhat against the grain to plump for a young horse having his first run over flights but if O'Dwyer gets him jumping even adequately, Fenagh Flyer should have a good chance of overturning Mykon Gold.

The afore mentioned Zaffaran Run goes in the Babs Babes Welter Race and while she should run a fine race, it's hard to get away from Munif. Dermot Weld's admirably consistent gelding won this contest last year and is clearly in good order at present having comfortably scored in a hurdle at Listowel.

More than one set of fingers were burned by Lunar Lady's failure to win at Listowel when she never managed to negotiate practically any of the hurdles with any degree of fluency. She will have to jump much better over this two-furlong-shorter trip to stay in contention but Lunar Lady is sure to have been extensively schooled since Listowel and on the evidence of her previous good effort at Gowran, she could be worth chancing again.

Charlie Swan may also leave the track with a couple of winners as in addition to Lunar Lady, he must have a chance on Lucky Bust in the Thurles Handicap Chase if Bill Harney's horse lasts out the trip.

The ice cool Swan is the ideal man to give Lucky Bust a patient ride and Lucky Bust is marginally preferred to Springfort Lady.

Michael Hourigan's string are in fine form and his Robazala is preferred in the opener, while Perfect Venue's second to Baakar at Cork last Thursday will make it hard to beat in the Glen Maiden.