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El Cairos Wins Thurles Prep After Last-Flight Blunder, Books Direct Route to Cheltenham

Bookmakers reacted by pushing him out for the Supreme, with Old Park Star now clear favourite.

Overview

  • The six-year-old landed a two-mile Thurles maiden by three lengths over Willie Mullins’ Roc Dino as the 1-5 favourite.
  • He ploughed through the final flight after a miscommunication, but Jack Kennedy quickly gathered him to score comfortably.
  • Trainer Gordon Elliott said the objective was achieved and confirmed the horse will go straight to the March 10 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.
  • Most firms eased his Supreme odds to around 6-1 from 9-2, while Old Park Star shortened to roughly 2-1; Coral held 5-1 and Paddy Power went 11-2.
  • Elliott selected Thurles as a confidence-building prep instead of Grade 1 targets at the Dublin Racing Festival, following a late fall at Leopardstown that had highlighted the horse’s speed.