UK Horse Racing Tips: Gowran Park

OLIGOPOPLY was beaten six lengths when chasing home Spanish Flame at Roscommon but the winner had a run under his belt and is highly regarded. With a good draw to work from in stall two, Joseph O'Brien's colt can go one better. O'Brien trained Saturn Five to win a 1m1f maiden at Punchestown last year and his brother Donnacha now has care of that one's half-brother Starliner. The Showcasing colt was first home in a Barrier Trial last month. Air Commander, who holds a Group 2 entry on Irish Derby weekend, is another notable newcomer while his stablemate Latin finished just in front of Mariner when fifth at Leopardstown and both should be better for that initial experience.
Prediction : 1st Oligopoly 2nd Starliner 3rd Air Commander

KAYDEES MAGIC made late headway to finish fourth over course and distance last month and can take a step forward from that handicap debut. She was drawn wide on that occasion and that is again the case but she might be able to improve enough to strike for Sheila Lavery. There was just a short head between Alfarida and Master Garvey at Roscommon with the former battling well to register a breakthrough victory,. Master Garvey is 2lb better off but Alfarida has fared better with the draw. Snowdonia Song has made the frame in two handicaps over a mile at this venue and may be suited by this shorter trip
Prediction : 1st Kaydees Magic 2nd Alfarida 3rd Master Garvey

VERNET won a Curragh maiden over this trip on her second and final juvenile start and was too fresh and keen when reappearing at the same venue last month. She showed up well for a long way over a mile before fading late and will be suited by coming back in distance. Not Even Close has a potentially good draw in stall one if breaking on terms and ran well in a hot Curragh handicap on Guineas weekend. A maiden winner on the all-weather last term, she began the season with a creditable fourth to the highly progressive Lord Massusus over course and distance. Many Tears made most in a course and distance maiden on her second start and now enters handicap company, while blinkers are applied to fellow course and distance victor Touching Clouds, who should have come on from her seasonal debut at the Curragh.
Prediction : 1st Vernet 2nd Not Even Close 3rd Many Tears

OLD PECULIER has shown promise in a higher grade on his first two handicap starts and can capitalise on this drop in class. Far from disgraced in a competitive affair at the Curragh last month, Mark Fahey's charge met trouble in running when stepped up in trip here on his most recent outing and should have enough pace over a mile in this company. Barnhill Rose went close at Roscommon before going one better over course and distance. She had nothing to spare on that occasion and is 5lb higher but is likely to contend again. Pink Socks had Princess Rajj behind in fifth when coming from well back to finish third at Listowel and that was her best effort so far, while Kodiac Prince missed a midweek engagement due to quick ground but would be a big player if rain arrives.
Prediction : 1st Old Peculier 2nd Barnhill Rose 3rd Pink Socks

NYLA RUA has Colin Keane's assistance and may be able to gain a first win. The visor sported when she was runner-up at Bellewstown last year is back on and the Zoffany filly was having only her second start for new trainer Jack Davison when third over course and distance last month. The winner Barnhill Rose will try to give that form a boost in the first division. Shona Mea has a fine track record at Gowran Park with three course wins to her name and makes a quick reappearance after finishing fifth at Leopardstown on Thursday. She was in the teeth of a strong gallop over a furlong further there and faded late but it was another creditable performance. There was plenty of money about for Not Just Any Eagle at Fairyhouse but he weakened tamely over 1m4f. A winner over ten furlongs last term, he might have the gears for a mile at this level and Billy Lee is happy to ride him again.
Prediction : 1st Nyla Rua 2nd Shona Mea 3rd Not Just Any Eagle

SEMANTICS, who improved for the step up to this distance when a close fourth at Navan last week, may be able to defy topweight. On that occasion, the Ger Lyons-trained filly only gave best close home, losing two places at the finish. If the blinkers can help bring about further improvement, the daughter of Broken Vow will be hard to beat. Evening's Empire was highly tried a couple of times last season after winning her maiden at Galway. Now back to a more realistic handicap mark, it would be no surprise to see the Kessaar filly improve on recent efforts. Miss Caruso was well beaten on her turf debut at Naas but maybe the testing ground was a factor. If anywhere near the level of form she showed at Dundalk over the winter, she would be a serious contender here.
Prediction : 1st Semantics 2nd Evenings Empire 3rd Miss Caruso

Despite being posted on the wide outside, SANDY CREEK should have enough ability to offset that negative in a race such as this. Runner-up to a subsequent dual Group 3 winner on her racecourse debut at the Curragh last June, the Frankel filly made a satisfactory return when third at Naas recently. While initially, that run may have appeared slightly disappointing, the second horse has since gone on to win her maiden. Velvet And Vine stayed on nicely once getting the hang of things on her debut at Naas last month. The Ger Lyons-trained filly should know more this time and has been handed a nice middle draw. Hazalaya, who finished third over course and distance last time, is interesting now that she encounters a quicker surface.
Prediction : 1st Sandy Creek 2nd Velvet And Vine 3rd Hazalaya

SUNSET SHIRAZ, who won her maiden at this track, can record her second career success. The Gavin Cromwell-trained filly was a leading juvenile two seasons ago but managed just the three appearances towards the backend of last year. However, in the latter two of those and both runs this term, the daughter of Time Test has shown she retains all her ability. Stepping up to this trip could potentially bring about further improvement, so she looks very much the one to beat. Saltonstall has been a revelation for connections over the years and continues to hold his form incredibly well despite his age. The nine-year-old will no doubt have Galway as a primary objective once again but has to be a contender nonetheless. Good Too has a lengthy absence to overcome but would be dangerous if anywhere near his best on debut for new connections.
Prediction : 1st Sunset Shiraz 2nd Saltonstall 3rd Good Too