Thurles

Right-handed, undulating and sharp, Thurles is a circuit of around a mile and a quarter that generally favours handy, agile horses. Several sections are uphill before runners encounter a fairly steep descent towards the home straight, making rhythm and careful energy management important throughout.

The climb along the back straight can be particularly demanding and horses asked to expend too much energy there may struggle to finish strongly. Better ground can sometimes be found away from the inside, especially later on a card after the racing surface has become increasingly churned up. Excellent drainage is one of Thurles’ defining characteristics, with the ground rarely becoming exceptionally deep even during periods of severe winter weather.

There are seven fences to a circuit, including two in the home straight, and the obstacles provide a fair jumping examination. Overall, Thurles rewards horses that travel comfortably, race within striking distance and conserve energy on the climbs before using their tactical speed on the downhill sections and into the finish.