THURLES is a winter stronghold for the most committed Irish National Hunt followers and regulars will be treated to a competitive card of action there tomorrow. The real challenge seems to lie in the opening three handicaps, but if Tote customers can successfully negotiate those obstacles as well as the remaining three races on the card, the rewards could well be lucrative with the Pick 6, Placepot and Jackpot being guaranteed for €10,000, €20,000 and €5,000.

The Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Chase (12.20) is the least intimidating of the three handicaps on the card, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy to solve by any stretch of the imagination. The Christy Roche-trained Golden Ticket and the Michael McDonagh-trained Black Zero look to be the two to concentrate on.

The Molony Cup Handicap Chase (12.50) has attracted a very big field but the Robert Tyner-trained Its the Ice I Like is likely to be a short-priced favourite having belatedly got off the mark over fences last time and still looking very well handicapped off his revised mark. It is worth taking some insurance out against the likely favourite in the shape of the Gavin Cromwell-trained Mallards In Flight.

The Horse & Jockey Hotel Handicap Hurdle (1.20) is perhaps the most difficult race on the card and being well covered is a must. The Gavin Dower-trained Mrs Mac Veale, the David O’Brien-trained Is Herself About and the Tim Doyle-trained Moreece all have attractive profiles and should be included.

The Gift Horse Gallery Horse & Jockey Hotel Mares Maiden Hurdle (1.50) is all about the Willie Mullins-trained Lyrical Theatre. The five-year-old looked like a serious mare in the making when winning her third bumper at Navan last time and it will be a major surprise if she finds one too good for her on her hurdling debut.

The Exit 6 To The Horse & Jockey Rated Novice Hurdle (2.20) may have only attracted four runners but it is a tightly-knit contest and taking two against the rest appeals as being a prudent move. The Willie Mullins-trained Bosman Rule is no star, but this is his level, while the Liz Doyle-trained Kauto Grand Mogol is potentially a bit better and is likely to be tough to beat.

The INH Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle (2.50) is a gilt-edged opportunity for the Sandra Hughes-trained Wrath Of Titans to break his maiden over hurdles. The form of his latest run at Fairyhouse is working out well and he won’t need to improve much to win this.

The Noel Meade-trained Flinders River is open to improvement and should also be included.