UK Horse Racing Tips: Gowran Park

SAINT D'OROUX must have arrived from France with a lofty reputation because he was sent off favourite for his Irish debut, when contesting a Fairyhouse Grade 3, and was then fifth at Leopardstown's Christmas meeting, again when heading the market. There will be plenty who keep the faith and he can reward them at the chief expense of Millswyn, who also let down favourite-backers last time but brings plenty of Flat quality to the table. His stablemate King Pellinor is interesting if over his heavy Limerick fall, and Annie Pender has also shown enough to warrant a mention.
Prediction : 1st Saint DOroux 2nd Millswyn 3rd King Pellinor

Darasso was a bloodless winner of this 12 months ago but has been seen only twice since, winning a Grade 2 chase at Navan and then returning to action with a last-of-four finish in Haydock's Champion Hurdle Trial. That should have brought him forward but he must concede 7lb to CILAOS EMERY, who reverts from fences following an early exit at the Dublin Racing Festival. It is interesting that most bookmakers have priced him up for the Champion Hurdle, for which he needs to be supplemented, but an impressive performance here might force connections' hand. Mengli Khan can chase them home for third.
Prediction : 1st Cilaos Emery 2nd Darasso 3rd Mengli Khan

Southerner has quickly made up for lost time since returning from a lengthy spell on the sidelines but his relative lack of experience is a worry in a field of this size. Key Commander made a successful start to his handicap career but so did MISS COGNAC, who relished the testing conditions at Limerick over Christmas and can defy a 10lb hike. Rebel Early did it well over C&D, while Gun Merchant and Fakir are interesting newcomers to the handicap ranks.
Prediction : 1st Miss Cognac 2nd Southerner 3rd Key Commander

Chris's Dream laughed at his rivals, and the handicapper, when running away with the Troytown but may lack the pace of REAL STEEL over this trip. Willie Mullins' seven-year-old returned with an easy Grade 2 win at Down Royal before a commendable effort in the John Durkan and a 14-length trouncing of Footpad at Thurles, again in Grade 2 company. Shattered Love doesn't seem the same mare who won at the 2018 Cheltenham Festival, while her stable companion Death Duty continues on the comeback trail following his Galmoy Hurdle return.
Prediction : 1st Real Steel 2nd Chriss Dream 3rd Shattered Love

Willie Mullins has won this contest for the last three seasons and the Closutton handler appears to boast strong credentials once again with VOIX DES TIEP. He was no match for his stable companion Annamix when filling the runner-up spot at Fairyhouse last month but the eight-year-old is likely to have gained some confidence from that display having fallen the time before at Navan. Spyglass Hill has improved with each start over fences and was giving Carefully Selected a race when falling at Naas last time. He can enter calculations along with Off You Go, if the latter can run to the level of his Fairyhouse effort in November when holding every chance before coming to grief at the last.
Prediction : 1st Voix Des Tiep 2nd Spyglass Hill 3rd Off You Go

THE LONG MILE has improved on his last couple of starts with a win in a Naas handicap followed up with a solid effort back in novice company when second at Fairyhouse last month. The drop back to 2m is unlikely to prove any concern and he can confirm his Naas victory with reopposing runner-up Conright Boy, despite meeting him on 9lb worse terms than for that three-quarters of a length triumph. Alfie's Choice could prove best of the remainder being rated 16lb lower than his hurdles mark.
Prediction : 1st The Long Mile 2nd Conright Boy 3rd Alfies Choice

Lorvon Pearl placed on her sole outing for Jessica Harrington in a Tipperary bumper in May 2018 and could go close despite a long absence having since joined Willie Mullins. Elizabeth J is entitled to step forward from her first bumper outing when third at Punchestown but the vote goes to QUEENS BROOK. A point winner at Dromahane in November, she cost 160,000 pounds at the Cheltenham sale in the same month and warrants plenty of respect on her Rules debut for Gordon Elliott.
Prediction : 1st Queens Brook 2nd Lorvon Pearl 3rd Elizabeth J