THURLES, Ireland – Karia Des Blaises emerged as the favorite for the Carey Glass Irish EBF Colreevy Mares Novice Chase (Listed) at Thurles on , according to updated odds released ahead of the 14:07 race. The six-year-old mare, trained by W.P. Mullins and ridden by Paul Townend, saw her odds shorten to 11/4, a shift reflecting confidence following a recent performance at Limerick.
The race, a Class 1 event over 2 miles 5 furlongs 132 yards on soft to heavy turf, features six runners. Karia Des Blaises was making a return from a 10-month layoff at Limerick 53 days prior, showing promise before a heavy fall at the last hurdle. Analysts suggest that if she hasn’t suffered lasting effects from that incident, she represents a strong contender.
The Great Nudie, trained by C. Bowe and ridden by Sean Flanagan, is also attracting significant attention, with odds now at 13/8. The mare recently secured a decisive victory in a maiden chase at Naas, winning by 12 lengths. However, a fourth-place finish in a Grade 3 at the same course, where she struggled to maintain pace over 24 furlongs, prompted a shift in strategy. The shorter trip at Thurles is expected to suit her better, and the all-mares field offers a potentially advantageous matchup.
Tareze, trained by H. De Bromhead and ridden by Darragh O’Keeffe, is also at 11/4. She finished second in a Grade 2 at Thurles 32 days ago, but was clearly outmatched by a superior rival. A drop in class for this race positions her as a player, though she will need to demonstrate improved form to challenge the leading contenders.
Cottesloe Sunshine, a seven-year-old trained by J.P. O’Brien and ridden by Danny Mullins, is currently at 17/2. While showing promise as a hurdler, she hasn’t replicated that success in three chase starts. Her form reads 01/4563, indicating inconsistency in this discipline.
Shellrunforbriggs, a five-year-old trained by M. Winters and ridden by Eoin Walsh, is a longshot at 66/1. She made an encouraging chase debut with a fourth-place finish in a maiden at Thurles 14 days ago, displaying sound jumping. However, she faces a significant step up in class.
Tahaa, trained by J.P. O’Brien and ridden by J.J. Slevin, is priced at 15/2, having won her only hurdles start in France. She fell in a Grade 2 chase at Cork 74 days ago, but was reportedly showing potential when departing. Her jumping technique has been noted as occasionally lacking fluency.
The race offers a prize pool of €30,000, with €18,000 awarded to the winner, €6,000 to second place, €3,000 to third, €1,500 to fourth, €900 to fifth, and €600 to sixth.
Analysts are particularly focused on Karia Des Blaises’ recovery from her fall at Limerick. Her performance prior to the fall suggested she was in good form, and if she can overcome any lingering effects, she is considered the horse to beat. The Great Nudie’s ability to handle the shorter distance and the all-mares competition will also be a key factor. Tareze’s drop in class provides an opportunity for improvement, but she will need to demonstrate a higher level of performance to challenge the favorites.
Spindleberry won the race in 2025, ridden by Paul Townend and trained by W.P. Mullins. The Mullins stable appears to have strong contenders in both Karia Des Blaises and Cottesloe Sunshine this year, potentially positioning them for another victory in this prestigious mares’ novice chase.
