ON Thursday what might be called the ‘winter season’ gets underway at Thurles, in the heart of Tipperary. The card for the day, which features the Munster Beginners Chase, consists of four hurdle races, two chases and the bumper. The track is in great shape, having been rested since the last meeting back in March.

The team at Thurles is keen to get under way, led by Kate Molony. The course is unique among Irish racecourses, being the only one that is family-owned. It has been run by the Molony family for many generations, and most racegoers today will remember with huge fondness Kate’s late father Pierce who died in January 2015.