UK Horse Racing Tips: Gowran Park

KHAFAAQ could return to action with a victory. He won three of his last five races for Andy Slattery and has since moved to Pat Martin. It is slightly concerning that he hasn't been seen since August, but he has gone well fresh before and trip and ground are ideal for him. Denis Hogan is well represented and his Roderick looks a big player after a fifth in a 50-70 handicap at Leopardstown. Hogan also saddles Jupiter Rock, who could get involved as he switches back to the Flat from hurdling, while his Neandra has British form to support her case. Kartayaz drops into a claimer and has the plum draw in stall one, so could outrun his odds.
Prediction : 1st Khafaaq 2nd Roderick 3rd Jupiter Rock

MATAARIKI is hard to get away from after a professional display when making a winning debut at this track last month. After she swept home by almost four lengths, connections mentioned stakes races so she is clearly well thought of. Glor Tire was a decisive winner of a fillies' maiden over C&D, and 10lb claimer Gabriella Adela Hill is now enlisted so this Teofilo filly races off a light weight. You Owe Me Money hasn't been beaten far into third in her last three races, while Whimsy has finished runner-up in no less than four of her last five races and ought to put in another solid shift.
Prediction : 1st Mataariki 2nd Glor Tire 3rd You Owe Me Money

CLEVER AND CUTE was outgunned by the winner of a C&D maiden, but showed plenty of ability in second. That was her first outing and the winner made all at a good clip so she should come on from it. A good run by Mataariki in the preceding race on this card would bode well for Quatrain's prospects. The latter couldn't make an impression on that winner of a C&D fillies' maiden last month, but certainly ran well on her first start. Abbey Actress showed marked improvement in fifth in a decent maiden at the Curragh so she merits consideration. Glen Princess, Kansai, Pink Aurora and Magical Bay are all possible improvers.
Prediction : 1st Clever And Cute 2nd Quatrain 3rd Abbey Actress

THEQUIETMAN stayed on for second on debut in Leopardstown and, granted normal improvement, could take a bit of beating. He made sustained headway in the straight and was well clear of the odds-on favourite in third. The winner of that race didn't look out of place when fourth in Listed company on his next start. Nativity Square brings plenty of experience into battle and can get in the mix, while Vadali is entitled to improve from a reappearance fourth at this venue. Subjugate, from an in-form yard, and Shamsuddin, who was runner-up in Punchestown last September and holds a mark of 81, shouldn't be underestimated.
Prediction : 1st Thequietman 2nd Nativity Square 3rd Vadali

ANGEL ON FIRE beat Pink Socks by a neck over C&D on testing ground last autumn and has returned in good form again this spring. The selection finished strongly from off the pace over seven furlongs at Naas before filling the runner-up spot over 1m1f at Leopardstown and probably found an extra furlong too far at Sligo last time. There is little to choose between Tall Story and The Bog Bank on running behind Play It Again Zaam here a fortnight ago and the Ross O'Sullivan-trained gelding appears the greater threat on the likely soft ground. Boadicea Belle won over this trip at Dundalk last month, while Perfect Curves and Numidia are others to consider.
Prediction : 1st Angel On Fire 2nd Tall Story 3rd The Bog Bank

KILLEEMORE LAD won twice over hurdles last year and was also placed a couple of times in staying Flat handicaps including on soft ground at Thurles last October. The Andy Slattery-trained gelding has returned in good form over hurdles this spring notably when beating all bar Pigeon House in a 24-runner handicap at the Punchestown Festival and now switches back to the level on a competitive mark. War Thunder was having his first start for Paul Flynn when beating Glyde Ranger by half a length over a similar trip at Sligo earlier this month and the latter was given plenty to do when a strong-finishing fifth at Navan on Saturday. Paradise Lost and C&D winner Rumi are others to note.
Prediction : 1st Killeemore Lad 2nd War Thunder 3rd Glyde Ranger

WHATCOULDHAVEBEEN gained a fourth career win (2 Flat/2 hurdles) when taking a 2m6f handicap hurdle by nearly ten lengths in first-time cheekpieces at Fairyhouse on Irish Grand National Day. The selection was subsequently far from disgraced behind Teahupoo in Grade 1 company at Punchestown and now reverts to the Flat off what appears a reasonable mark. Bold Approach held a career high rating of 99 and is proven over this trip in the past while Narlita won over 1m4f on heavy ground at Bellewstown last year and should progress from her reappearance at Sligo. Grann's Boy and Mephisto both ran well in separate divisions of a 1m5f Navan handicap last Saturday, while Mighty Mo Missouri shaped well in a charity race at Punchestown.
Prediction : 1st Whatcouldhavebeen 2nd Bold Approach 3rd Granns Boy