UK Horse Racing Tips: Gowran Park

BORN IN PURPLE gets the nod over Hypotenus. A French import, the Willie Mullins-trained selection was beaten into second on her first start for current connections at Tramore last month. She went down by just half a length on that occasion and is likely to come on plenty for the experience. A three-time winner on the level in France, Hypotenus appears the main danger. Second in a Grade 3 on his debut over flights, he has been ultimately disappointing since and it'll be interesting to see how he fares now, starting off for Gavin Cromwell. Hurdling debutants Dollar Nolimit and Western Fold both warrant respect. Previously trained by Stuart Crawford, the former was an eyecatching seventh of 22 in a bumper at the Punchestown Festival in April and is now in the care of Joseph O'Brien.
Prediction : 1st Born In Purple 2nd Hypotenus 3rd Dollar Nolimit

Back over two miles and given a break since his last start, LITTLEFOOT should be able to win this weak affair. Second four times from his first five track starts, the Mark Molloy-trained five-year-old disappointed when sent off favourite over two and a half miles at Wexford in July. Beaten a nose on his only previous effort on soft ground, he should have no issues with the likely testing conditions. Gordon Elliott saddles Wisteria Bloom and The Bay Horse. Jack Kennedy will be aboard the former, who was second in bumpers at Kilbeggan and Perth, although he was also scheduled to appear at Clonmel on Thursday. The Bay Horse is a half-brother to four-time victor The Bosses Nephew and he won't have to be anything out of the ordinary to make an impact on debut. Minella Diamond, Monsieur Azul and Toonagh Warrior are other leading contenders.
Prediction : 1st Littlefoot 2nd Wisteria Bloom 3rd The Bay Horse

CHEMDAWG is the suggestion in this wide-open affair. The four-year-old ran her best race to date at Bellewstown last month, coming from off the pace to fill the runner-up spot. That was just her second try in handicap company and the Australia chestnut is open to further improvement. After going down by just a head on his penultimate outing, Be My Hero is given second preference. Given that he was a beaten favourite in a slightly stronger contest at Navan, it'll come as a surprise if he is not involved towards the business end. We'llgowats (first-time tongue-strap) was a good third when last seen at Punchestown in February and had three subsequent winners in behind. Successful at Cork in July of last year, the Liam O'Brien-trained eight-year-old should be able to make her presence felt. A runner-up at Tramore on her penultimate start, Mullins Cross looks a leading contender with Shane Fenelon claiming a valuable 7lb, while Gaelic Des Chastys, Master Breffni and three-time winner Romella (first-time cheekpieces) are others for the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Chemdawg 2nd Be My Hero 3rd Wellgowats

MAGICAL ZOE is an exciting prospect for the season ahead and it'll be interesting to see how she fares here, taking on mostly older and more experienced rivals. She didn't get the run of the race when second in the Jack De Bromhead Mares' Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham in March, subsequently running below par when tried over two and a half miles for the first time at Fairyhouse. Back in trip now and making her seasonal debut, the Shantou five-year-old looks the one to beat. Anna Bunina is the highest-rated runner in the line-up and was second in Grade 1 company at Punchestown on her penultimate start. The admirable 10-time winner disappointed when last seen at Killarney in May, but an improved performance can be expected from her as she returns from a well-earned break. Gordon Elliott is represented by Say Goodbye and Air Drop, with the former out of action for well over a year. Successful over fences on her last two starts, the Getaway seven-year-old warrants respect, getting weight from the selection and Anna Bunina.
Prediction : 1st Magical Zoe 2nd Anna Bunina 3rd Say Goodbye

A difficult contest to assess, with LUCKY ZEBO the suggestion. The six-year-old completed a hat-trick at Kilbeggan in July and was a close third on his most recent start at Wexford, after being hampered in the closing stages. Back over flights now, Henry de Bromhead looks to have found a good opportunity for the progressive bay. Sir Bob is another reverting to the smaller obstacles and the 11-year-old is given second preference. Likely to relish the testing conditions, he has finished no worse than third in eight of his last nine starts. Top-weight Chinx Of Light is yet another switching back to hurdles. Ultimately disappointing over fences, he returns from a year-long absence and it'll be interesting to see how he fares. As Tears Go By will need to bounce back from recent efforts if he is to feature, while Ochocinco can't be discounted after winning on debut at Down Royal.
Prediction : 1st Lucky Zebo 2nd Sir Bob 3rd Chinx Of Light

COMO PARK, a former smart horse on the Flat for Joseph O'Brien, catches the eye on his handicap debut. The four-year-old has run really well on all three starts since joining Henry de Bromhead, but there is huge potential for improvement now that the son of Camelot steps up in trip. With a Flat rating of 90, he certainly doesn't look overburdened off just 107 on his first venture into this company since going jumping. Hard Target has only the one win to his name, but had been in remarkably consistent form prior to being brought down at Listowel last weekend. If none the worse for that experience, the six-year-old should be involved. Three-time chase winner Happy Dreams is an interesting contender off a hurdles mark 13lb lower than that off which he races over fences.
Prediction : 1st Como Park 2nd Hard Target 3rd Happy Dreams

The unbeaten AURORA VEGA should be up to the task as she faces what is unquestionably her stiffest test to date. Exceptionally well bred, by Walk In The Park out of champion racemare Quevega, the five-year-old has barely come off the bridle to win her first two starts at Sligo and Killarney. Now taking on much stronger opposition in this Listed contest, she will need to take a major step forward. Stablemate Abi's Champ looks the biggest threat, having also won her last two starts in facile fashion. The daughter of Leading Light definitely has the potential to make Aurora Vega work harder here. Caman Eileen could well make it a clean sweep for trainer Willie Mullins, with the easy Tramore winner something of an unknown quantity.
Prediction : 1st Aurora Vega 2nd Abis Champ 3rd Caman Eileen