UK Horse Racing Tips: Gowran Park

This looks a good opportunity for SIMPSON'S PARADOX to open his account. The full-brother to Alpha Centauri and Discoveries showed promise in three outings last year, notably when runner-up to Alexandroupolis over an extended mile on soft ground at Galway. No Big Deal showed some promise on debut when keeping on behind The Prairie at Leopardstown, but may not be suited by this step down in trip. Feach Amach was far from disgraced on both starts last year, while Macinamillion should progress from his debut at the Curragh last month.
Prediction : 1st Simpsons Paradox 2nd No Big Deal 3rd Feach Amach

GOLDEN SPANGLE was mainly campaigned over a mile in maidens last year and ran a cracker when dropped in trip on her handicap debut at the Curragh on Sunday. The daughter of Dawn Approach came home strongly on the testing going when beaten less than two lengths behind Midnight Fire in a 23-runner event and could be ideally suited by seven. Summer Snow ticked boxes for this track, distance and going when just denied by Rhythm King in a nursery last autumn. She didn't enjoy the clearest passage on that occasion and remains on a competitive mark. Happenstance appreciated the step up to this trip when successful at Dundalk last November, while Cherry Pink also comes here on the back of a decent effort on the Polytrack.
Prediction : 1st Golden Spangle 2nd Summer Snow 3rd Happenstance

ELMOS FIRE won at Listowel last summer and returned in good form, again over a mile, at Bellewstown earlier this month. The selection made virtually all and was only denied in the closing stages by Tellthemi'mhere. This drop back in trip shouldn't inconvenience him. Brave Troop recorded his second win over 1m2f at Navan last time. He travelled really well throughout and is worth a try at this shorter trip. Lucky Queen progressed nicely last autumn, winning over a mile at Cork, and also filled the runner-up spot at this venue. Maggie And Me ran well on heavy ground at Leopardstown earlier this month, while Gegenpressing and Trueba are others to consider, along with Yester.
Prediction : 1st Elmos Fire 2nd Brave Troop 3rd Lucky Queen

Joseph O'Brien has made a good start to the new Flat season and AMERICAN SONJA could add to the tally. She went close twice at the Curragh before opening her account there, drawing clear in the closing stages to land a 17-runner maiden in decisive fashion on soft ground last autumn. Hopefully she has progressed over the winter and this trip should suit. All Lies Ahead had Toriangel back in fourth when scoring over this trip at Leopardstown a fortnight ago, while Celtic Crown is another to consider. He won a very valuable mile handicap at the Curragh last year and again shaped well over that C&D when sixth to Lattam in the Irish Lincoln last month.
Prediction : 1st American Sonja 2nd All Lies Ahead 3rd Celtic Crown

Irish Oaks entrant GREEN SKY could make a winning debut for Joseph O'Brien. Her sire relished cut in the ground and she is related to three multiple winners. She has a decent draw to work from. Hey Whatever showed ability on her first start in Naas when a never nearer fourth on testing ground. The runner-up franked the form by landing a fillies' maiden in Dundalk. Zoffany filly Paris Review was behind Hey Whatever in seventh in that aforementioned race in Naas, however, she was only 7/1 for that debut run which would indicate there is more to come from her. Queen Mab is a nicely-bred filly having her first start for a shrewd stable. Collage is another newcomer to note.
Prediction : 1st Green Sky 2nd Hey Whatever 3rd Paris Review

DUKE OF LEGGAGH is in a rich vein of form this season. He returned to action in a valuable handicap at Naas last month and earned plenty of credit in finishing second to a horse who holds Classic entries. He then absolutely demolished his rivals by seven lengths in Navan to earn a 12lb hike from the handicapper. There could be more in him. Johnny Murtagh runs two horses and perhaps the pick of them will be Devore. The form of her Curragh nursery victory in September has been very well franked. Tea Olive came in a remote second to Duke Of Leggagh in Naas, but is one for each-way players to consider. That was her seasonal reappearance and she now has a substantial pull in the weights. Semblance Of Order is up in trip and has a chance. The Snapper could build upon a Cork victory.
Prediction : 1st Duke Of Leggagh 2nd Devore 3rd Tea Olive

STRIKING might be a different proposition on the Flat after a runner-up berth in a Fairyhouse maiden hurdle. He was only collared on the run-in of that 21-runner race and appeals off a mark of 53 on this switch back to the Flat. Ellaat has been off since November and has switched stables to Charles Byrnes. He has shown himself to be capable over hurdles and on the level with five victories accrued across both codes. He looks a big player in this field. Perfect Arch has a similar profile to Striking in that he took second when last seen in a handicap hurdle at Down Royal. Astrophysicist was placed in his last two starts in this discipline. Colin Keane has been booked for Elle Dorado Rock and a market check is advised.
Prediction : 1st Striking 2nd Ellaat 3rd Perfect Arch