Affordale Fury has chance to end run of seconds at Thurles

Affordale Fury bids for an overdue deserved victory in the Racing TV Club Day Chase at Thurles on Thursday.

Runner-up in Grade One novice hurdles at Cheltenham and Punchestown in the spring of 2023, the seven-year-old won on his chasing debut the following season before disappointing in a Grade Two at Fairyhouse, after which he spent well over a year on the sidelines.

He has finished second on each of his three starts since returning, most recently chasing home Envoi Allen in the Ladbrokes Champion Chase at Down Royal, and trainer Noel Meade is hoping he can get back on the winning trail in the Listed feature.

“The conditions of the race suit him, maybe the trip is a little bit short for him but hopefully we’ll get a little bit of rain,” said the Tu Va Stables handler.

“He’s been in good form since Down Royal, there’s not a bother on him.

“He was going to win in Fairyhouse last year until he made a mistake at the last (fence). He’s had some good runs, so hopefully he gets there safe and sound and has a clear round and everything will go all right.”

Affordale Fury is set to face five rivals in a race that has been won by big names such as Sir Des Champs (2015), Champagne Fever (2016), Footpad (2019) and Presenting Percy (2020) in recent years.

Willie Mullins has saddled six of the last 10 winners and this year runs both the 2023 winner Classic Getaway and Appreciate It.

Salvador Ziggy (Barry Connell), Senecia (Vincent Halley) and Tullybeg (Brian McMahon) complete the line-up.

All eyes will be on the Mullins-trained Salvator Mundi in the first race on the card, the Thurles Racecourse Beginners Chase.

Runner-up to Sir Gino on his only start in France, the five-year-old has won three times over hurdles since joining the champion trainer, including a runaway Grade One victory at Aintree in April. He is long odds-on to make a successful transition to the larger obstacles in County Tipperary.