Paul Townsend: Korinthia leads my trio of rides at Thurles

Paul Townsend previews Saturday’s action at Thurles and Ascot.

Thurles

12:47

There’s some rain due, but Thurles is a course that will take it.

I start with KORINTHIA in the Listed Mares Novice Hurdle (12:47). She’s been very consistent in all her runs; it looks a good opportunity for her.

She’s got experience now and I think Thurles will suit her. She wasn’t disgraced at Down Royal when she was third in a listed race the last day.

She’s the highest rated and we’re looking forward to getting going again.

At Ballinrobe, she made a good start to jumping and then was third at Down Royal. She brings a good level of form and sets the standard.

For exclusive stories and all the detailed Racing news you need, subscribe to the Racing Ahead website, digital edition, or magazine from as little as 8p a day.

13:57 & 14:32

My other two rides are each in separate divisions of the Maiden Hurdle – ELIODAM in Division I (13:57) and BOEDICIN Division II (14:32).

The two horses both ran in the same sales bumper in Fairyhouse at Easter. They’ll have both learnt a lot from that, and it’s a race that throws up winners every year.

They were both quite green going here. Boedic finished fourth that day, over 30 lengths ahead of Eliodam in 12th, but I think the two of them have improved a lot for the bumper experience on debut and there wouldn’t be that much between them.

I’m looking forward to getting the two of them going.

In comparison to the fancied horses in each race, my two don’t have hurdles experience in the form book, but have both jumped hurdles well at home.

They’re both in good races, but I guess they’ll be far from the strongest maiden hurdle contests run over the next few weeks.

We’ll be hoping they both give good accounts of themselves; they’re two nice horses to look forward to for the rest of the season, anyway.

Ascot

14:25

Gordon Elliot’s horses are absolutely flying at the moment at home, and his HONESTY POLICY is good and tough.

He was a gutsy winner at Aintree in April at the Grand National meeting over two-and-a-half miles and the step up to three miles looks made for him.

Another contender is STRONG LEADER and I think the race at Newbury’s ‘Hennessey’ meeting probably wasn’t run fast enough for him, when he was beaten by IMPOSE TOI a few weeks ago.

In a stronger run race, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Strong Leaderimproving past him. Last year’s winner CRAMBO will definitely have to find some of his previous best form to get involved there.

READ MORE: Ben Morgan’s Saturday tips – Ascot – Georgie to bring you Joy