Henry de Bromhead-trained Bold Assassin is a hopeful nap choice in Thurles today, where he’ll contest the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden Hurdle.
Runner-up in his only point-to-point before being bought for £150,000 and now carrying the Gigginstown colours, he wasn’t disgraced in the maiden hurdle won by Tiger Tap Tap at Naas and, on his final start of last season, filled third spot behind Braeside at Fairyhouse.
An unexposed five-year-old, open to plenty of improvement, Rachael Blackmore’s mount gets the nod over Liz Doyle’s Flash De Touzaine, runner-up to Wearapinkribbon in Tramore last time.
Fourth in a listed event here in January – nabbed late by Ava Rose over course and distance two weeks ago – 124-rated Botani sets the standard in the Templemore Mares Maiden Hurdle.
The mount of Brian Hayes, she has John Kiely’s Erins Benefit and the Mark Fahey-trained Place Des Vosges to beat.
Peter O’Hehir's tips for Thurles
12.15.Pat Coyne
12.47.Steer Clear
1.22.Botani
1.52.Smithscorner
2.22.Karen’s Gift
2.57.Bold Assassin (Nap)
3.32.Glenglass
Next Best
12.15.Mick Charlie
12.47.Crazywork De Vassy
1.22.Place Des Vosges
1.52.Breezy Bell
2.22.Miss Cedille
2.57.Fash De Touzaine
3.32.Salt Wind
Double : Smithscorner and Bold Assassin.
O’Hehir’s Longshot : Cousin Harry (1.52.)
