Gowran Park – Thursday 27th January

The Goffs Thyestes Handicap Chase is an iconic race, and one that with each coming season, features a field as strong as the following that show up in their droves at the County Kilkenny track.

Many horses will have their whole campaign geared around peaking for this race, and it can be quite a niche type of race, due to the usual prevailing incredibly deep ground – but this year it might not be quite as testing as has been usual.

WhichBookie colleague Andrew Blair White very usefully recommended Longhouse Poet at 20/1 in places, if you were quick last week, and hopefully plenty of you grabbed some double figure prices at least. Longhouse Poet is now available at a best priced 7/1, and I certainly wouldn’t put anyone off backing this horse stepping up to the 3m1f trip in handicap company for this first time, given how strong his beginners’ chase form from last season now looks.

But, I’m a sucker for a Gordon Elliott-trained handicap chaser in a valuable event like this, as time and time again, they seem to produce career bests when it matters most.

The fact that Braeside won the Cork Grand National on his seasonal debut, at odds of a drifting 16/1, suggests it was a surprise to those close to the horse, and comments since have confirmed as such. That Braeside sauntered through that race, clearing away easily, marked him down as one to be with when the ‘day’ comes.

On his next start, in the cavalry charge that is the Paddy Power Handicap Chase at Leopardstown at Christmas, Braeside was kept wide and out of trouble, shifting slightly right at his fences, and was asked for his effort perhaps later than some, and subsequently hit the line strongly again.

It was a massively eye-catching run, and surely Elliott has had this prize in mind, the Goffs Thyestes Handicap Chase at 3.05 at Gowran Park tomorrow, from a long way out. Going back right-handed will suit, the extra furlong will suit, and the softer ground will suit.

At 13/2 with Sky Bet and Betfred at this stage, Braeside is an each-way bet for 6 places with those firms, and given the nature of a betting heat like this, you may get slightly bigger at some stage. But, rest assured, however you play the race, I’d very much suggest having Braeside on side.

Of the others near the head of the market, Diol Ker has an engine for sure, but his jumping could let him down, while Eklat De Rire was very flat in the Ladbrokes Trophy, Ontheropes probably wants even further than this in this company, Escaria Ten has the Grand National as his ultimate target, Coko Beach (last year’s winner) could re-emerge but has been disappointing, while Mister Fogpatches could find the ground soft enough for him.

So, Paul Townend’s pick of the Willie Mullins quintet, Franco De Port, could be a danger to all at a best price of 10/1. But even though he is a Grade 1 winner over fences, when trying 3m recently (albeit in hot races) he has been ridden very cold. In a bunfight like this, getting into a rhythm in a prominent position is optimal, and I’m not sure that style suits Franco De Port.

There will be something that hits the frame, if not better, at a big price, as there always is in races like this!

Therefore, let your bets on the race include an each-way wager on the Mouse Morris-trained Foxy Jacks, who at 28/1 each-way with William Hill for 6 places, represents the same form-line as Braeside courtesy of the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown.

Beaten only 3 lengths by Braeside there, Foxy Jacks forfeited much more ground jumping right compared with Braeside, and given he has never won left-handed, and has a profile that suggests he will get better for racing, there are many worse 28/1 each-way shots running every day.