The highly anticipated Goffs Thyestes Handicap Chase will take place at Gowran Park this Thursday, January 22nd.

This historic Grade 3 contest traces back to 1954 and counts the greatest of all time, Arkle, on its roll of honour.

Last year’s renewal identified a subsequent Grand National hero, Nick Rockett, who became the third winner of Gowran’s showpiece this century to go onto glory at Aintree.

His trainer Willie Mullins has won this race 10 times since his first in 2000 with Micko’s Dream. The Closutton stable has also plundered four of the last seven editions and appears intent on adding to that haul judged on the quality of its declarations.

Mullins will have five runners headed by topweight High Class Hero, along with Quai De Bourbon, Scottish National winner Captain Cody, Guinness Kerry National winner Spanish Harlem and Shanbally Kid among the maximum field of 18 runners.

Captain Cody, the mount of Paul Townend, lifted the big race ay Ayr as a novice last April and collected a maiden hurdle at this meeting two years ago on heavy ground.

Quai De Bourbon unseated and was brought down at Cheltenham and Aintree last year but placed third on his handicap debut in the 2025 BoyleSports Irish Grand National.

He pulled up on his reappearance in the Bar One Racing Troytown in November but Ain’t That A Shame won this race two years ago after a similar Navan no-show, so perhaps some leniency might be in order. Quai De Bourbon also won a beginners’ chase at this fixture a year ago.

The early race favourite, however, is Better Times Ahead, carrying the J.P. McManus silks and a light weight of 10st 5lb. He won the Listed Porterstown Chase at Fairyhouse in November over three miles and six furlongs for Kinsale, Co Cork trainer Robert Tyner.

Gordon Elliott runs three in a bid to win the race for the third time: Search For Glory along with Pied Piper and Shecouldbeanything.

“Search For Glory has been second in two big handicaps, the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown the last time, and he might be best suited of ours even if he has crept a little up the handicap,” Elliott said.

“In these races, I think it’s more which horse handles the conditions best on the day.”

Answer To Kayf represents trainer Terence O’Brien. His finest hour arrived in the Grade 3 Troytown Handicap Chase at Navan in November.

“He is lightly raced. The Troytown was a career best, but you’d like to think he could have improved from that,” the Carrigtwohill, Co Cork trainer noted.

“He has gone up the handicap, but he’s been fantastic for us and anything he does would be a bonus now. If he runs his race, he will be one of the ones to beat.”

Elsewhere, Tom Gibney’s Intense Raffles is potentially interesting back on a testing surface and a right-handed track, conditions he had for his memorable 2024 BoyleSports Irish Grand National victory.

The day is augmented by the Grade 2 John Mulhern Galmoy Hurdle and the notable presence of Gerri Colombe, five times a Grade 1 winning chaser for Gordon Elliott who reverts to hurdles on his second run back after an absence of more than a year.

Elliott also fields the likely favourite Staffordshire Knot, winner of his last two starts.

Rocky’s Diamond seeks to land this race for the second year running for Dungarvan, Co Waterford trainer Declan Queally, while the classy Home By The Lee is declared from the Joseph O’Brien team.

“We are delighted with the quality of the field for this year’s Goffs Thyestes. It really looks a high-class renewal. The same applies to the John Mulhern Galmoy Hurdle and we are looking forward to a great day at Gowran Park,” track manager Eddie Scally said.

Click here for link to declarations at Gowran Park on Thursday, January 22nd.