UK Horse Racing Tips: Gowran Park

Last month's maiden at Naas won by Byker, a creditable third in a useful contest at the same venue last weekend, is the key race here. MIGHTY MO MISSOURI ran his best race so far when second and was seven lengths clear of the third who was a maiden winner next time. Fitted with first-time cheekpieces then, the Zoffany gelding made a lot of the running until outpointed from the last and similar tactics are likely to be applied under his regular rider. Zanndabad, very useful on the Flat in France, has finished behind the selection on both outings over hurdles and was well fancied at Naas where some poor jumping held him back. He may get a lot closer if sharpening up in that department. Sinbad Le Marin was a disappointing favourite at Naas where, as on hurdling debut at Punchestown, he was too free and jumped poorly. If he learns to settle, he should be capable of much better. Enjoy The Dream is an expensive Flat recruit from Germany, while Media Naranja, a winner over 1m4f in France, has a good jumping pedigree.
Prediction : 1st Mighty Mo Missouri 2nd Zanndabad 3rd Sinbad Le Marin

Since winning his first two starts over hurdles at this venue in 2017, SHARJAH has won a Galway Hurdle and six Grade 1s, including Leopardstown's Matheson Hurdle three years running. A couple of his younger stablemates had too much pace for him in this year's renewal of that contest in December, but he still ran to a very respectable level. Taking a sharp drop in class here, he's likely to be too good for these rivals. Fil Dor's form aginst Vauban in juvenile hurdles would give him a chance on his switch back from fences, but he lacks a gear in comparison to the selection. Headgear, dispensed with here, did nothing for him when outclassed in the Irish Arkle and he hasn't had much time to get over what was a bruising contest for most of the field. Da Capo Glory won a maiden here last spring before running well behind El Fabiolo at Punchestown. He goes well fresh and has fair claims of a silver-medal finish.
Prediction : 1st Sharjah 2nd Da Capo Glory 3rd Fil Dor

Three miles on heavy ground seemed to stretch the stamina of BACKINTHEROOM when fourth at Limerick over Christmas. A maiden winner here last term, the Shantou gelding travelled strongly to get into contention before the straight last time and dropping back in trip should suit him. Slane Hill was a creditable third to a pair of in-form mares over C&D on Thyestes Day last month. He still looked green on that handicap debut and is sure to be towards the head of the market from a 2lb higher mark. Legacy Thor has been running back into form this season after being out of action for almost two years. He wasn't beaten far when sixth in a stronger contest at Navan and a reproduction of that would see him involved. Flying Scotsman, who kept on well when second at Fairyhouse, represents a yard with a good recent record in this race and is partnered by an in-form claimer.
Prediction : 1st Backintheroom 2nd Slane Hill 3rd Legacy Thor

Willie Mullins saddles three of the five here and HAUT EN COULEURS may prove the pick in a tricky-looking contest. The Saint des Saints gelding is still fairly unexposed at this kind of trip and looked set to claim victory in another strong Grade 2 contest at Thurles last time. He just knuckled on landing at the last then and went down as an unlucky loser in a race eventually won by Fakir D'oudairies. The six-year-old kept top company as a novice last season and could develop into a smart sort at this intermediate distance. Top-weight Capodanno was a Grade 1 winner over three miles last season, but had some smart form at this trip as well so can't be lightly dismissed. Janidil completes the Mullins trio. He chased home Allaho in the Ryanair last season, but disappointed when last seen at Punchestown. The Joseph O'Brien-trained Darasso is an admirable performer and has to be given consideration.
Prediction : 1st Haut En Couleurs 2nd Janidil 3rd Darasso

GRANDERO BELLO ran a cracker when giving Bronn a fright at Fairyhouse three weeks ago and can get his head in front now. The Great Pretender gelding kept the odds-on shot honest down over the last two last time and a repeat of that effort would probably be enough now. My Immortal showed a decent level over timber, reaching a mark of 134, and was a point-to-point winner. He could be a big danger now on his chase debut. Slip Of The Tongue has faced some stiff tasks on his three chase starts to date and may be able to play a bigger role now in this company.
Prediction : 1st Grandero Bello 2nd My Immortal 3rd Slip Of The Tongue

In-form mare OPTIONAL MIX may be able to strike again here. She was a wide-margin winner on her penultimate start over hurdles at Limerick and ran well over timber again last time when chasing home Bluebell Diva here late last month. The Carlotamix mare is rated a few pounds higher over fences but Rob James takes 7lb off her back now, which is a big help. Weihnachts only went up 5lb for winning in Cork last time and he could be a big player if turning up in the same form. Sunnyvilla was raised the same amount for his victory at Fairyhouse 10 days ago and is another who has to be on the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Optional Mix 2nd Weihnachts 3rd Sunnyvilla

Willie Mullins has had a great strike-rate in bumpers this season and newcomer IRIS EMERY could be another winning debutant. The Spanish Moon mare is a half-sister to a couple of winners in France, including dual Listed chase scorer Demon De Fleur. Why Delilah has already been placed in a bumper, chasing home Bohemian Summer at Punchestown last month, and she is an obvious danger, as is Ascending Lark, who was runner-up on her debut at Cork. Gordon Elliott, trainer of Why Delilah, also saddles an interesting newcomer in Brighterdaysahead. The Kapgarde filly is a half-sister to Mighty Potter and French Dynamite.
Prediction : 1st Iris Emery 2nd Why Delilah 3rd Ascending Lark