Billy Nash / 04 February 2010 Free Bet View Market

Thurles 1:45 - Win Back - Champus

Noel Meade has made a relatively quite start to 2010, just the one winner in January, but overall his horses having been running quite well (Corskeagh Royale in front when falling 2 out at Down Royal on Wednesday) and Champus looks to have a good chance in the opener at Clonmel. Champus showed plenty of ability in just three starts in maidens last season, especially when finishing fifth at Leopardstown in a race which worked out particularly well, and there should be a bit more to come from him. He hasn't been seen out since March but is sure to be fit enough to do himself justice and may well have strengthened up in the interim.

Thurles 2:15 - Win and Place Back - Grancore Girl

For Bill and Killultagh Queen are likely to dominate the market for the mares novice hurdle but take out that pair and there isn't much depth to the race. However, if Grancore Girl could reproduce her bumper form then she would be very interesting indeed. She shaped as if retaining plenty of ability when second to Morning Supreme at Cork on her penultimate start and was doing her best work at the finish in the race won by Prairie Call at Thurles last month. Grancore Girl is likely to be suited by further than this in time but looks worth an interest in first-time blinkers and her yard has been amongst the winners of late.

Thurles 2:45 - Win Lay - Glenstal Abbey

Glenstal Abbey came right back to his best when easily getting the better of Quito de La Roque at Navan last time but he isn't obviously open to improvement and looks vulnerable at this longer trip. With stout stayers such as The Book Thief and Quadrillon in the field the emphasis is likely to be on stamina and Glenstal Abbey, who has to give weight to all his opponents, looks worth taking on at short odds.