UK Horse Racing Tips: Gowran Park

There is little to choose between Pigeon House and LARK IN THE MORNIN judged on their latest two starts at Leopardstown and Punchestown with slight preference for the latter. The Joseph O'Brien-trained gelding previously filled the runner-up spot behind the well-regarded Mighty Bandit and hasn't enjoyed the clearest of passages on both outings since. Barrier has twice finished behind the selection but did show improved form at Naas last time, although was flattered to get within a few lengths of stablemate Ndaawi. Gooloogong was a useful sort on the Flat winning a 1m2f Navan maiden on heavy ground, while Pinot Gris was a progressive handicapper on the level winning twice but didn't jump fluently when third on hurdle debut at Fairyhouse in November.
Prediction : 1st Lark In The Mornin 2nd Pigeon House 3rd Barrier

LANTRY LADY receives 14lb from chief rival What's Up Darling in what is far from a strong renewal of this Grade 3. The Henry de Bromhead-trained mare won a maiden hurdle in impressive fashion on this card 12 months ago beating Silent Approach, subsequently a Grade 2 winner over fences, by an easy 14 lengths. It is obviously a concern that she hasn't been seen since but on the plus side is proven on this ground over C&D. What's Up Darling easily won a point-to-point and bumper and having opened his account over hurdles in the Grade 3 For Auction Novice at Navan, now takes a drop in class after his fifth in the Grade 1 Royal Bond at Fairyhouse. Doyen Ta Win is a free running mare who went up a combined 27lb for completing a hat-trick in handicaps last spring but appears exposed now on a mark of 119.
Prediction : 1st Lantry Lady 2nd Whats Up Darling 3rd Doyen Ta Win

REBEL EARLY is bidding to bridge of gap of over two years without a win but has a C&D success among her four career wins. The Liam Burke-trained mare returned to form adopting front-running tactics at Cork last time when just touched off by Da Capo Glory and the booking of Keith Donoghue catches the eye. D Art D Art won a 22-runner Cork maiden last month and having spoiled his chance with a bad mistake three out at Down Royal last time, could be suited by this step up in trip. Mighty Jeremy likes to set the pace and was able to dictate matters from the front when justifying good support over this trip at Fairyhouse last week but has been raised 10lb. Alpesh Amin, Luminous Light, Nathan Wells and Atimetodream are others for the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Rebel Early 2nd D Art D Art 3rd Mighty Jeremy

SAINT SAM is more than capable of returning from a break with a victory. He has done that twice before and looks poised to get back to winning ways. The Saint des Saints gelding was last seen bidding for a four-timer at Listowel in September, but fell at the last when leading. Trip and ground should be ideal for him. Riviere D'etel looks the danger as she is match fit from a runner-up berth at Naas last weekend. She is more than adept on testing ground and has won three Graded races over fences. Lucid Dreams finished a couple of places in front of Embittered when the pair came home mid-division in a Grade 3 handicap chase at Leopardstown and can confirm the form.
Prediction : 1st Saint Sam 2nd Riviere Detel 3rd Lucid Dreams

A tricky race with Willie Mullins due to field half of the six runners. Gordon Elliott's SAINT FELICIEN has been placed on all three starts over fences and got closer to the breakthrough over C&D last month. A better jump at the final fence saw the winner home, but runner-up Saint Felicien ran well for a long way. Mullins' Spanish Harlem finished seven lengths behind Saint Felicien in third so improvement is needed, but it isn't out of the question. His stablemate, Aime Desjy, finished fifth on chasing debut at Fairyhouse and the form is working out well, so he could outrun his odds.
Prediction : 1st Saint Felicien 2nd Spanish Harlem 3rd Aime Desjy

BUSHMANS PASS is going the right way and has a shot at bringing up the hat-trick. This is a step up in class for him, however, he handles testing ground, stays further than this and the form of his latest victory in Fairyhouse has been well franked by the runner-up. Aslukwoodhavit faced a stiff task when fourth in Naas, but is better judged on his rated novice chase victory at Punchestown in November. It isn't going to be easy to give away weight to this field on his handicap debut, but he is a talented sort. Rolly Bowley Boy has posted three runner-up finishes in a row and should be pitching for prize money in a first-time tongue-strap. Better Times Ahead is up 13lb for winning a valuable Grade B novice handicap chase at Navan in March last year and may be best watched on his return to action.
Prediction : 1st Bushmans Pass 2nd Aslukwoodhavit 3rd Rolly Bowley Boy

Willie Mullins is operating at an incredible strike rate of 46 per cent in bumpers this season (at the time of writing) so it is very hard to look past his newcomer, FLASHAWAY. Her page looks strong being by Mount Nelson out of Voler La Vedette, who won 13 races including a Grade 1 over flights. Instant Tendance is the most experienced horse in the field and has shown ability when placed in a maiden hurdle at Navan and in a mares' bumper in Punchestown. Cathedral Rocks can come on from an opening third in Cork while Stuart Crawford's Lothbeg is a potential improver.
Prediction : 1st Flashaway 2nd Instant Tendance 3rd Cathedral Rocks