Thurles Hosts Competitive Hunters Chase Action as the Horse & Jockey Handicap Headlines January 29

A crisp winter afternoon at Thurles Racecourse will set the stage for a compelling day of Hunters Chase racing on Thursday, January 29, as a seven-race jumps programme unfolds from 1:25pm through to 4:25pm. Anticipation will steadily build toward the closing Horse & Jockey Handicap Hurdle, the feature contest of the day, where a €14,500 prize will be on the line and stamina, patience, and timing are expected to decide the outcome.

Proceedings will begin at 1:25pm with Race 1, the Leugh Beginners Chase, a 2m4f198y contest for 5yo+ runners. Ten horses are set to face 13 fences in a race worth €11,000, offering an early examination of jumping rhythm and racecraft. This opener is likely to set the tone, with inexperienced chasers looking to establish credibility under pressure.

At 1:55pm, attention will turn to Race 2, the Racing Again February 5th Maiden Hunters Chase, a longer and more demanding assignment over 3m184y. With 17 fences and ten runners, this €10,000 contest will place a premium on endurance and accurate jumping, often revealing which horses are capable of handling extended trips in testing company.

Speed and tactical awareness will come into play at 2:25pm in Race 3, the Thurles Maiden Hurdle, restricted to 4yo runners. Fifteen horses will line up over 1m7f179y, competing for a €10,000 purse. With a large field and relatively sharp distance, positioning and decision-making are expected to be decisive factors.

The intensity will rise further at 2:55pm with Race 4, the ThurlesRaces.ie Maiden Hurdle, where 18 runners aged 5yo+ will contest the same 1m7f179y distance. Another €10,000 prize is on offer, and with such a crowded field, race awareness and late composure should play a key role in determining the outcome.

Mid-afternoon focus will shift to handicapping at 3:25pm for Race 5, The Killinan Handicap Hurdle. Run over 2m4f with 12 hurdles, this €10,000 event brings together 18 runners and promises a tightly matched contest, where marginal gains and clean jumping could prove decisive.

Stamina will again come to the fore at 3:55pm in Race 6, the Holycross Maiden Hurdle, a 2m6f126y test for 4yo+ runners. Eleven horses will compete for €10,000, with the longer distance expected to expose staying potential and resilience late in the race.

All momentum will then funnel toward the 4:25pm finale, Race 7, the Horse & Jockey Handicap Hurdle. Run over 2m6f126y and open to 4yo+ runners, this €14,500 feature will see ten horses battle through the closing moments of the card. As the richest race of the afternoon, it is set to carry added weight and expectation, offering a fitting conclusion to a demanding Hunters Chase programme where consistency, stamina, and nerve are likely to separate the contenders from the rest.
Contenders: King In Love, Sarah Beara, Fighting Fit, Ira Hayes, Pookie Holler, A Nod To Getaway, Ferdia, Juke Hill, Union Park, Pebble Bleu

With a balanced mix of distances, competitive fields, and progressive types throughout, Thurles Racecards 29 January are shaping up for an absorbing meeting that should reward both patience and precision from start to finish.