Joanne Tips History

Persistent has won his last two races and won at the course last time out beating St Lawrence Gap by 2½l in an 11 runner handicap hurdle looks the one to beat in search of the hat trick.

With the jockey booking of Ruby Walsh on Call It Magic a big run can be expected as Ruby has won twice on the horse and has been placed three times from six races he won last time out at Ballinrobe beating Net D'ecosse by 11l should run well.

Ainsi Va La Vie is three from three in bumpers and won at the course in August beating Vocarium by 1½l and last time out beat stablemate Glens Harmony by 2l who has since won over hurdles should be hard to beat on hurdles debut.

Calino D'airy won over c&d last time out 19 days ago beating Close Shave by 3l in a 14 runner race and that horse franked the form winning earlier this week at Thurles he should make it two from two over fences.

Scarlets are top of group b with five wins from their six matches and have 25 points and Cardiff Blues are in 5th place in group a on ten points. Scarlets have won the last two meetings between them and are tough to beat at home.

Ulster are 2nd in group a and Leinster are in third place both on 23 points and have won five of their six matches. Ulster have been in good form at home and will make this a close match but Leinster can just edge it winning two of the last three meetings between the sides.

Cheetahs are 3rd in the group on 16 points and Zebre are in 6th place on 11 points and Cheetahs won the last meeting between them 54-39 in September they can get the better of Zebre again.

Treviso are 4th in the group and Edinburgh are in 5th place both on 14 points with three wins from six matches and Treviso have won two of their three matches at home and have also won the last two meetings between the sides so should have the edge in a close match.

Ospreys are bottom of group a on six points with one win and five defeats and have lost their last nine matches in all competitions but they have a very good record against Dragons winning nine of their last ten meetings so should have enough to get the win despite their current form.

Munster have won the last two meeting against Connacht and were convincing winner when they last met 50-14 in the pro 12 in May. Munster are 2nd in group a with 20 points and Connacht are in 6th place on eight points. Munster should be too good in this match with Connacht struggling with form.

Glasgow are top of group a with six wins from six matches and Southern Kings are bottom of group b losing all six of their matches and have conceded 223 points. Glasgow should win this match easily at home.

Glasgow are unbeaten in the pro 14 with six wins from six matches and have scored 172 points conceding 98 beating Cheetahs, Treviso, Munster, Cardiff and Ospreys. Southern Kings are without a win in losing their last seven matches and have suffered a few heavy defeats this should be another.

Goldrush is two from two and is a course winner winning two weeks ago over 1m2f beating Marshall Jennings by ¾l in a 13 runner listed race and drops back to a mile in this race should go close.