UK Horse Racing Tips: Gowran Park

MISS TAPLEY looks the one to beat here on her return to action. The Phoenix Of Spain filly was a promising second at Galway on her sole outing last season September and that form looks strong. The winner, Tannola, was runner-up in two hot maidens prior to her success while the third horse, Vassula Ryden, went on to win a Navan maiden in good style. The 77-rated Gandolfo is more exposed but is entitled to run well. It'sonlyjustbegun showed promise when sixth in a Leopardstown maiden 16 days ago on her debut and is a potential improver.
Prediction : 1st Miss Tapley 2nd Gandolfo 3rd Itsonlyjustbegun

A win for Miss Tapley in the opener would be a boost to the form of VASSULA RYDEN. Willie McCreery's filly was a place behind that rival when the pair were second and third to Tannola on debut at Galway last September. Vassula Ryden went on to take a Navan maiden in good style subsequently and this looks a nice stepping stone. It's interesting that she's fitted with a visor on her return having been described as a lazy type last season. Norwalk Havoc comes into this with a recent win under his belt and looks the danger. Shelaka disappointed on her second outing last season behind Opera Singer in Group 3 company. She may be capable of better.
Prediction : 1st Vassula Ryden 2nd Norwalk Havoc 3rd Shelaka

NATIVITY SQUARE has been busy already this season and can gain a deserved win. The Vocalised filly ran really well when finishing second to Wingspan on her most recent outing at Leopardstown 16 days ago and a similar effort may be enough now. Gushing showed some promise on her debut when fourth at Thurles before a disappointing run at Leopardstown. She may be able to improve this year. Sure Spirit was runner-up twice on the all-weather in England but an official mark of 68 leaves her with a bit to find.
Prediction : 1st Nativity Square 2nd Gushing 3rd Sure Spirit

KISIYRA could improve for going a bit further this season. The Sea The Moon filly was placed in a couple of maidens last year and it was a good run when chasing home Everlasting at Galway in a decent contest last October. She is fitted with cheekpieces on her return and a mark of 79 doesn't look harsh. Colin Keane takes the mount on Nika Pika again after a good run to chase home Uncle Albert at Cork late last month. The Estidhkaar filly had Ringside Timing a length-and-a-quarter back in third then. Jim Bolger's charge was dropped a pound after that run and is now ridden by an inexperienced 10lb claimer.
Prediction : 1st Kisiyra 2nd Nika Pika 3rd Ringside Timing

STILL ROLLING was obviously flattered to get as close as she did to One Look in Cork late last month but it was still a decent run and she looks capable of scoring off this kind of mark now in handicap company. Duke Of Leggagh was eased a pound after a solid run to finish third to Mr Rango at Leopardstown 13 days ago and could be a big player here now. He had Givemehoperosa half a length behind then. Jack Davison claims 5lb off his filly now, with James Ryan getting the leg up, and is another that has to be in the mix.
Prediction : 1st Still Rolling 2nd Duke Of Leggagh 3rd Givemehoperosa

SOUL OF SPAIN should prove hard to beat. He got up for second on debut at the Curragh in October and took a lot of credit from that performance, particularly as the winner was good enough to then finish a close third in a Group 1 in France. Soul Of Spain holds an Irish Derby entry. Cheeky Wink has some notable entries including in the Irish 1,000 Guineas, so it is reasonable to assume she has progressed over the winter after a fifth place on debut at Leopardstown in October. Daboya and Mickey Cohen are two newcomers who could have a say in proceedings.
Prediction : 1st Soul Of Spain 2nd Cheeky Wink 3rd Daboya

CARLO BIANCONI can make it third-time lucky. Joseph O'Brien's charge has finished a close second in both maidens to date and should play a leading role. Interestingly, he holds an entry in the valuable Chester Cup next month. The lowest-rated horse in that race last year was on a mark of 87, so Carlo Bianconi would likely need a victory to get in as he's rated 78. Neptunes Staircase is a worthy opponent. He lost out by a neck in Navan and by a nose at the Curragh, so wouldn't be winning out of turn. Furthermore, trip and ground are fine for him. Firebrand was beaten a length into second over hurdles at Cork in March and it is worth noting that he was runner-up on the Flat in France last year. Johanna Whitty is likely to improve from her unplaced seasonal reappearance at the Curragh on Saturday.
Prediction : 1st Carlo Bianconi 2nd Neptunes Staircase 3rd Firebrand