UK Horse Racing Tips: Gowran Park

MAGIC THUNDER, Naturally Nimble, Game Phoenix and Kaptain Bay look the ones to focus on, with preference for the Gordon Elliott-trained former. While he doesn't jump off the page on breeding, he won both starts on the level in his native France. Sure to be well schooled for his first try over flights, the Gigginstown House Stud-owned bay is likely to go close. After many good efforts in defeat, Naturally Nimble belatedly opened his account at Navan early last month, with Dylan Browne McMonagle later stating: "I think the best is yet to come." Game Phoenix and Kaptain Bay have the advantage of prior hurdling experience. Both filled the runner-up spot when last seen over flights and it'll come as no surprise if either manages to go a place better.
Prediction : 1st Magic Thunder 2nd Naturally Nimble 3rd Game Phoenix

While Apple's Of Bresil is likely to prove popular with punters, he failed to justify favouritism when last seen at Galway and it might be worth taking him on. COUMEENOOLE, Colonel Nelson and Taponthego are interesting point-to-point graduates in the line-up, with preference for the Paul Nolan-trained former. Previously in the care of the shrewd Jonathan Fogarty and a winner on debut at Ballindenisk in May, he beat Millforce into second, with that one successful in both starts since. Out of a smart four-time winner, the selection was bought by current connections for 180,000 pounds. The aforementioned Colonel Nelson and Taponthego are both capable of making an impact, while Wexford runner-up Laravie is another leading hope.
Prediction : 1st Coumeenoole 2nd Apples Of Bresil 3rd Colonel Nelson

While the forecast rain is a worry, it's difficult to look beyond the hat-trick seeking TALK IN THE PARK. He readily accounted for 19 rivals when last seen at Galway in July and although now on a career-high mark of 126, he will be aided by the 7lb claim of Tom Harney. Peter Smithers also takes 7lb off top-weight Happy Jacky, with this likeable 10-year-old the second choice. Successful three times from six starts this year, he is arguably in the form of his life at present. Handicap debutants Rosalys and Rocky's Diamond are of definite interest, while others for the shortlist are Beaufort Scale, Flash De Touzaine and admirable veteran Macgiloney.
Prediction : 1st Talk In The Park 2nd Happy Jacky 3rd Rosalys

Gordon Elliott and Willie Mullins both saddle two, in what is a quality renewal of this Grade 2 contest. Elliott's CONFLATED is the only runner in the line-up to have won at the highest level and looks the one to beat. A brilliant servant to connections, the 10-year-old was third in the Ryanair at Cheltenham in March, before running another excellent race in defeat when second to Jonbon in the Melling at Aintree. Saint Sam and Saint Roi are the Mullins representatives and both have race fitness on their side. The hat-trick seeking former was last seen winning over flights at Auteuil and is sure to prove popular with punters. Ash Tree Meadow finished ahead of French Dynamite, Saint Roi and Solness in the Galway Plate and can confirm his superiority over those rivals now.
Prediction : 1st Conflated 2nd Saint Sam 3rd Ash Tree Meadow

After yet another brave front-running performance at Roscommon on Monday, KILASHEE is taken to follow up. The admirable John Ryan-trained nine-year-old has already won five times this season and while up to a career-high mark over fences, she will be aided by the 5lb claim of Conor Stone-Walsh. Returning from a break, Midnight Our Fred is an obvious danger. Placed on his last four starts and third on his most recent outing in the Killarney National, the seven-year-old certainly wouldn't be winning out of turn. Handicap debutant Caesar Rock, Kilbeggan runner-up Banjaxed and Noel Meade's Charlie Luciano are others for the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Kilashee 2nd Midnight Our Fred 3rd Caesar Rock

MOSSY FEN PARK easily won a Nenagh point-to-point for Sean Doyle and showed smart form over hurdles, winning a maiden at the Down Royal Christmas meeting before finishing second to Captain Cody, also over this trip, in a Grade 2 at Fairyhouse. He was subsequently bought for 235,000 pounds to stay with Henry de Bromhead and rates an exciting recruit to fences. Rainbow Trail has a similar profile to the selection and was just denied on his only point start before landing a bumper and Navan maiden hurdle last season. Point-to-point winner Encanto Bruno looked smart when gaining a fourth success under Rules in a Cheltenham novice hurdle last autumn, but has proved disappointing since.
Prediction : 1st Mossy Fen Park 2nd Rainbow Trail 3rd Encanto Bruno

JUNOT was generally consistent in handicap hurdles last season before opening his account at Wexford in May. The Mick Winters-trained gelding hasn't really fired on his latest two appearances, but perhaps the switch to fences will prove the spark as he ran a cracker on his only chase start at Clonmel earlier this year. Joeswayornoway gained the latest of two wins over fences at Killarney nearly two years ago but gave some encouragement when reappearing over hurdles at Wexford, while Finnians Row, Aliunde and Kate Ill Know are others to consider. Birdsandthebees has been supported on a number of occasions over hurdles, including at Punchestown this summer, and it will be interesting to see how she fares in her first chase.
Prediction : 1st Junot 2nd Joeswayornoway 3rd Finnians Row