Telenor to add to Dreaper legend

RACING:THE GOWRAN Park authorities are putting their faith in Met Éireann for today's re-scheduled Red Mills Thyestes Chase fixture getting the green light after a 7.30am inspection.

Frost forced a postponement earlier in the week, but the forecast is the cold snap will loosen its grip just in time for this afternoon’s meeting.

“Our forecasts have been spot-on all through and if we get what is forecast then we should be fine to race,” Gowran manager Margaret Fogarty said. “Significant fog is due to lift about dawn and our overnight temperature is set to be minus two, which is considerably higher than recent nights.”

The prestige of the €90,000 Thyestes is inextricably linked with its 1960s heyday when Tom Dreaper saddled Arkle, Fort Leney and Flyingbolt to win three years running, 1964-66.

That is a streak of quality to rival any National Hunt race anywhere, and Jim Dreaper added to that legacy himself when The Godfather (1974) and Brown Lad (1976) won the Thyestes at the start of his training career.

Dreaper saddles Telenor today, and this will be a tough assignment for a horse that hasn’t been seen since Easter when he fell at the 10th in the Irish Grand National.

The Grade Two winner is, however, a proven mudlark and his trainer has long believed he will be a better horse with time.

He represents a touch of potential in a field full of proven handicappers, such as last year’s winner Whinstone Boy and ante-post favourite Pomme Tiepy.

Mourad made quite an impact in his first start at three miles at Leopardstown and can build on that against Luska Lad in the Grade Two Galmoy Hurdle, while stable companion Quadrillon can build on a course and distance success in a novice chase in November.