Join

Thurles run could be key to Energumene aim

By Racing TV

Last Updated: Sun 11 Jan 2026

Energumene may test the water over an extended trip to add a Ryanair Chase alternative to his Cheltenham Festival choices.

The Willie Mullins-trained gelding, who turned 12 on New Year’s Day, is a stalwart of the two-mile chase division, with two Champion Chase titles among the 13 victories on his CV.

He began his season in the Hilly Way at Cork, a race he has won three times previously, and came home in third with two significantly younger horses ahead of him.

He is entered for the Champion Chase again come March, but the longer Ryanair Chase will also be considered and the Horse and Jockey Hotel Chase at Thurles may act as a fact-finding mission for connections as they decide which contest to aim at.

“He’s not getting any younger, but he ran well in what was a tough race,” said Sean Graham, racing manager to owner Tony Bloom, of Energumene’s Cork performance.

“He has won three previous Hilly Ways but this one was probably the deepest race for him, he was up against younger horses and he acquitted himself very well.

“He’s got an entry in the Champion Chase and the Ryanair at the Festival and I think the plan is to run him in the Kinloch Brae (now known as the Horse and Jockey Hotel Chase) at Thurles in a few weeks.

“That’s two and a half miles, though he would only go there if the ground was soft, and if we were happy with him stepping up in trip, then we might go for the Ryanair instead of the Champion Chase with him.

“That will be a decision we make way closer to the time, we’ll leave the door open until a week before the race.”

Notes and Angles: A tip for Chelmsford and five horses for your tracker

James Willoughby: Rematch required after Mishriff flies home

Horse racing tips: Monday bets from Pontefract and Plumpton

Horse racing tips: Newbury picks from Dave Nevison

2022 Japan Cup: Our runner-by-runner guide and selection

Todays top offer

Get 1,000,000 Free Spins on J Cole

T&Cs Apply

18+ New customers only. Bet £10+ on pre-match accas with 4+ legs, min odds 3/1 (4.0) within 14 days of sign-up. Get 4x £5 Horse Racing Free Bets and 50 Free Spins, valid for 7 days on selected bets and games only. Restrictions and T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org

Claim Now

Featured offers

Bet £20 Get £40 in free bets with BetVictor

T&Cs Apply

Claim Now

18+ New Customers only. Opt in, bet £20 on Horse Racing, 1/1+ odds in 7 days, no cash out. Get £40 in Free Bets on set markets valid 7 days. Debit Card / Apple Pay payments only. T&Cs apply. See below. begambleaware.org | Please Gamble Responsibly.

Bet £10 & Get £30 in free bets

T&Cs Apply

Claim Now

New Customers only. Bet £10 & Get £30 in Free Bets. Sign up, deposit between £5 and £10 to your account and bet365 will give you three times that value in Free Bets when you place qualifying bets to the same value and they are settled. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits. Min odds/bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. T&Cs, time limits & exclusions apply. 18+ Bet Responsibly. BeGambleAware.org.

Bet £10 get £40 in Free Bets with Midnite

T&Cs Apply

Claim Now

This is a test description for a Midnite offer etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc

Bet £10 get £40 in Free Bets

T&Cs Apply

Claim Now

Testing JC

T&Cs Apply

Claim Now

Bet £10 Get £20 in free bets + £10 Casino + money back if 2nd to SP fav EXTERNAL LINK ANCHORAnother LINK

Please bet responsibly

My Account

Home

Watch

Live

Replays

On Demand

Catch Up

Tv Schedule

RTV Play Schedule

Racecards

Today's Runners

Non-Runners

Tommorow's Runners

Racing Calendar

Results

Tips

Racing TV Tipsters

Nap Of The Day

News

All

Latest

Highlights

Columnists