Thyestes pair can capitalise on feather weights
| Published date | 26 January 2022 |
| Publication title | Weekender |
Gigginstown have won two of the last four runnings and I've backed two of their runners to add a third in five as I expect Diol Ker and Death Duty to be in the shake-up at the foot of the weights.
If the Diol Ker who finished a narrow second to Sams Profile in the 3m Grade 2 Galmoy Hurdle on this card last year returns to that form he has every chance off a mark
of 135, some 15lb below his hurdles rating.
There has been enough encouragement over intermediate trips in beginners' chases this winter to suggest that mark is a winnable one, and this will be the first time he has encountered 3m1f on his favoured testing ground.
He's fallen a couple of times in the past but his jumping has improved as he has gained more experience over fences and there was no disgrace in finishing a 12-length second to Jungle Boogie, an exceptional prospect, on ground too lively at Fairyhouse last time.
I fancy the Willie Mullinstrained winner to give Galopin Des Champs a race at the Dublin Racing Festival next month and I'm toying with the idea of sticking a related double on the pair to maximise my possible returns. Jungle Boogie is an ante-post 6-1 shot for the Ladbrokes Novice Chase at Leopardstown next month and that price has scope to shorten upon declarations.
The lightly raced eight-yearold is unbeaten in three starts,
winning a bumper, a maiden hurdle and a beginners' chase without barely being asked a
question.
RPRs of 124, 135 and 147 indicate a sharp upward trajectory and I'm surprised there hasn't been more hype surrounding him, although it is probably indicative of the embarrassment of riches Mullins possesses.
If we're making comparisons to Galopin Des Champs in their relative beginners' chases, to his credit Jungle Boogie did easily defeat two superior hurdlers (the aforementioned Diol Ker and Grand Paradis) to those Galopin Des Champs comfortably dealt with at Leopardstown (Ain't That A Shame and Floueur).
I like betting each-way for three places in races I expect to attract fewer than eight runners and I want to side with Jungle Boogie, who could be quite special and represents better value than 1-2 about
Galopin Des Champs.
Returning to the Thyestes, the Gordon Elliott-trained Death Duty is a much bigger price than Diol Ker but bounced right back to form when fifth to Schoolboy Hours in the ultra-competitive Paddy Power Chase over Christmas.
The former Grade 1 winner was reported to have needed the run on his return...
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