UK Horse Racing Tips: Gowran Park

This looks a good opportunity for ANGOSTURA. Out of three-time victor Tearsofclewbay, the five-year-old ran in two point-to-points when in the care of Ian McCarthy. Third at Boulta in December, he was a place ahead of subsequent Dromahane winner Good N' Kind, with that one a leading hope in the bumper. Beaten by just half-a-length on his debut for Gordon Elliott in a much stronger contest at Navan last month, the selection will be widely expected to go a place better now. Getting a weight allowance on account of his age, Tranquil Sea is the obvious danger. He ran his best race to date when second in handicap company at Punchestown in January and back in calmer waters now, another bold bid looks likely. A son of eight-time winner Jennies Jewel, Tommies Call has been disappointing since finishing a fine third on debut in the valuable Tattersalls Ireland Sales Bumper and he is probably best watched for now. Declan Queally is double-handed through point-to-point winner Manatee Du Brizais and newcomer Rocky's Diamond, with the latter a half-brother to The Little Yank (runs in the fourth). Barry Connell also saddles two, Farrokh and Tannery Park, and in a race of this quality they both warrant respect.
Prediction : 1st Angostura 2nd Tranquil Sea 3rd Tommies Call

A weak affair and it's difficult to be overly confident about any of these. Pallas Athene is a point-to-point winner and has the form in the book to win a race of this standard, however she is on a retrieval mission having flopped badly on her most recent start at Clonmel. Similar comments apply to the twice placed Penelope's Charm, who finished ninth of nine when last seen in a Limerick bumper. While also hard to support with any great confidence, it might be worth siding with JOKERS 'N' CLOWNS, who is another point-to-point victor in the line-up. She gained no fans by her pre-race antics at Navan last weekend, unseating Keith Donoghue as the tape was released. Now tried in a first time hood, the Jet Away five-year-old might be able to redeem herself. Sadies Diamond, Diamond Nora and Shanlaylin, who is a sister to five-time winning stable companion Drop The Anchor, are others of note.
Prediction : 1st Jokers n Clowns 2nd Pallas Athene 3rd Penelopes Charm

GREAT ISLAND gets the nod in this wide-open heat. The eight-year-old provided Ethan O'Sullivan with a memorable breakthrough success over the course and distance in September. An easy 16-length winner on that occasion, he had the reopposing Glenabo Bridge back in third. While disappointing on his last two starts at Fairyhouse and Limerick respectively, the selection might be able to bounce back to his best, returning to the scene of his sole success to date. A case can be made for many others, with Knockaneleigh Girl given second preference. A wide margin winner of a point-to-point at Loughrea in October, she makes her debut in handicap company now, and it'll be interesting to see how she fares. Politicise, Pirate Island, Dgalwaygallivantor and Carlas Big Jim are all sure to have plenty of supporters, with the latter a decisive winner at Clonmel last month. While both consistent sorts, the trip looks on the short side for Cher Why Not and Cosmo Renfro.
Prediction : 1st Great Island 2nd Knockaneleigh Girl 3rd Politicise

WHISKEYWEALTH appeals here with John Shinnick claiming a valuable 7lb. While he ran below par in the Dan Moore at Fairyhouse in January, he bounced back to form when striking over flights at Naas early last month. In the aftermath of that success at the Tipper Road venue, his trainer Terence O'Brien indicated this race as a target. Down at the foot of the handicap, Sunnyvilla is an interesting contender. Pulled up on three consecutive starts, he hinted at a return to form when fourth at Thurles when tried in cheekpieces for the first time. Those cheekpieces are unsurprisingly retained now and it'll be interesting to see how he fares off bottom weight. The Willie Mullins duo of Figaroc and Feu Du Bresil are sure to have plenty of supporters. Both start off in handicap company and it'll come as no surprise should either prevail. In truth, it's difficult to safely rule out any of these, with Pat's Choice, La Malmason, Bonnie Kellie and Happy Dreams all capable of making their presence felt.
Prediction : 1st Whiskeywealth 2nd Sunnyvilla 3rd Feu Du Bresil

AIME DESJY, Duffle Coat and Miss Tempo are the ones to focus on here, with preference for the Willie Mullins-trained former. Described by Patrick Mullins as 'a real chasing type' after winning a bumper, the French-bred gelding was a fine fifth when tried over fences for the first time in a hot beginners at Fairyhouse in December. He since finished second to the classy Saint Felicien over the course and distance last month and he'll be well fancied to go a place better now. Duffle Coat has a course win to his name and really put it up to the long odds-on Senior Chief on his most recent start. That was his first try over fences and he is likely to be suited by the drop in trip here to 2m4f. Miss Tempo has a point-to-point win to her name and has since won three over flights. A runner-up at Naas on her most recent start, she should give a good account of herself, in receipt of a mares' weight allowance.
Prediction : 1st Aime Desjy 2nd Duffle Coat 3rd Miss Tempo

A tricky race to assess. While likely to prove popular with punters, Annamix is far from consistent and was beaten in fourth when a casualty at the final fence in this contest 12 months ago. The winner of the Galway Plate in 2020, Early Doors impressed when successful on his point-to-point debut at Oldtown last month, but was surprisingly beaten into second by outsider Lisleigh Lad at Kildorrery most recently. With Derek O'Connor in the plate now, the classy 11yo could well redeem himself, with that recent effort perhaps coming a bit too soon after his Oldtown triumph. For a selection, it might be worth siding with RAMILLIES. The winner of four point-to-points this season, the grey nine-year-old ran well for a long way at Naas last month, tiring in the closing stages and finishing a well-beaten third. The vastly experienced Rob James now takes a valuable 7lb off his back and it'll be disappointing if the former Willie Mullins inmate isn't involved towards the business end. The West's Awake beat just two rivals at Lisronagh recently (after Lifetime Ambition unseated) and has a lot more on his plate now, while Bishopscourt Cup winner Fr Gilligansvoyge and the lightly raced Sam Curling-trained Stormy Story complete the line-up.
Prediction : 1st Ramillies 2nd Early Doors 3rd Annamix

A very hot contest to round off proceedings. Three impressive point-to-point winners standout here, while some of those with track form add further strength to the mix. For a selection, TUMUCH gets the nod over Port Joulain. Both went through the ring at Tattersalls Cheltenham in December, with the selection the sale topper when sold for a massive 335,000 pounds. A son of Buck's Boum, he readily dismissed nine rivals when successful at Lingstown, showing a nice turn of foot when stretching clear of the field before the last. Port Joulain made the second highest price when sold for 300,000 pounds. The former Denis Murphy inmate put in a taking performance to win at Borris and now in the care of Willie Mullins, he is sure to go close. Good N' Kind was sold privately after an easy win on his second start at Dromahane, and it'll be interesting to see how this Arctic Cosmos bay fares. Whatsyourproblem went down by just a length over flights at Clonmel last month and looks to have solid place claims, while others for the shortlist are course and distance runner-up Kate Knows Best and the Gavin Cromwell-trained His Nibs.
Prediction : 1st Tumuch 2nd Port Joulain 3rd Good N Kind