THURSDAY RACING TIPS

15:40 Thurles

We haven’t seen Willie Mullins’ Berkshire Royal since a convincing victory at Kilbeggan last May, however if fully tuned up for his return the manner of that victory suggests he could prove tough to beat.

Captain Conby won at 66/1 on his hurdles debut and was firmly in the mix for a follow up the following month, before coming down at the second last. He made amends with an authoritative victory last month and should be capable of progressing further so looks the most likely to put up a challenge to our selection.

Gatsby Grey was found out a little in the Grade 1 Ireland Novice Hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival however was a ready winner on hurdles debut before that and if seeing out this longer trip could also make his presence felt.

BERKSHIRE ROYAL (WIN)

17:10 Sedgefield

Minella Charmer and Blue Hawaii both occupied the runner-up birth in their respective races last time out and this looks to be a match-up between the two. The former is a dual heavy ground winner but despite running well last time out had failed to finish on his two prior runs and at eleven years of age is unlikely to take huge leaps forwards, so ready preference is for Blue Hawaii who looks capable of winning off her current mark and gets over a stone from the early favourite.

Sacre Pierre finished behind Minella Charmer last time out and has done all his winning on good ground, however arrives here for an in-form trainer and jockey and is also better at the weights this time around so should be watched for any confidence in the markets.

BLUE HAWAII (WIN) written by Dean Kilbryde